Sudarsan Pattnaik’s Sand Sculpture Salutes India’s Women’s Cricket Champions
PURI, ODISHA — In a stirring tribute to India’s historic triumph at the 2025 ICC Women’s World Cup, acclaimed sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik unveiled a monumental sculpture on Puri Beach that has captured the nation’s imagination.
Crafted from nearly five tonnes of sand, the centrepiece of the artwork is a 6-foot-long bat adorned with cricket balls, bearing the message “Congrats! Bharat ki Nari Shakti.” The sculpture celebrates the grit, unity, and resilience of the Indian women’s cricket team, who clinched their maiden World Cup title with a thrilling victory over South Africa at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.
“This is not just a tribute to our cricketing heroes, but to every Indian woman who inspires through strength and perseverance,” said Pattnaik, whose work has drawn large crowds and widespread admiration from locals and tourists alike.
The sculpture has transformed Puri Beach into a vibrant site of national pride, echoing the growing recognition of women’s achievements in sports and beyond.
