Sudarsan Pattnaik Creates Sand Art to Celebrate India Women’s Historic World Cup Triumph

Puri, Nov 3: Celebrating a moment of national pride, Padma Shri awardee and renowned sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik on Monday created a magnificent sand sculpture at Puri Beach to honour the Indian women’s cricket team’s historic maiden World Cup win.
The stunning artwork carries the message “Congrats! Bharat Ki Nari Shakti,” symbolising the strength, determination, and spirit of Indian women. Standing six feet tall and crafted with nearly five tons of sand, the sculpture features a large bat adorned with several cricket balls  a tribute to the dedication and teamwork that powered India’s victory.
Speaking to IANS, Pattnaik said, “The way India’s Women’s Cricket Team has created history by winning the World Cup has made the entire world witness the power of India’s Nari Shakti. Through this sand art, I salute our champions for making the nation proud.”
On Sunday night, India clinched its first-ever ICC Women’s World Cup title, defeating South Africa by 52 runs in a thrilling final at DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai.
India’s triumph was powered by a superb all-round performance from Deepti Sharma, who took 5 for 39, and Shafali Verma, who contributed both with bat (87 runs) and ball (two crucial wickets). Smriti Mandhana’s 45 and Deepti’s 58 helped India post a formidable 298/7  the second-highest total ever in a Women’s ODI World Cup final.
Despite a promising start from South Africa’s openers Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits, India’s bowlers staged a strong comeback, bundling the visitors out for 246 in 45.3 overs.
With this victory, India not only scripted cricketing history but also showcased the rising power and resilience of its women athletes  a moment beautifully captured in Pattnaik’s art on the golden sands of Puri.