India Women Create History: BCCI Announces ₹51 Crore Reward After Maiden ICC World Cup Win
The Indian women’s cricket team scripted history at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, clinching their first-ever ICC Women’s World Cup title after defeating South Africa by 52 runs in a pulsating final. The victory not only ended decades of heartbreak from the 2005 and 2017 losses but also marked a defining moment for women’s cricket in India — one that will inspire generations to come.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India ( BCCI ) wasted no time in honouring this monumental achievement. On Monday, a day after the grand win, BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia announced a cash prize of ₹51 crore for the victorious squad. The reward will be shared among all members of the team, including players, coaches, selectors, and support staff, recognizing the collective effort that went into achieving this milestone.
“In 1983, Kapil Dev inspired a new era in Indian cricket with the men’s World Cup win. Today, our women have reignited that same spirit and pride for the nation,” Saikia said, announcing the reward while emphasising the parallel between the two landmark victories in Indian cricket history.
For players like Smriti Mandhana, the win felt almost surreal. The opener expressed that she was still trying to process the magnitude of the achievement. “I haven’t been emotional on the cricket field before, but this is unreal. Winning the World Cup at home and being called Champions — it still hasn’t sunk in,” she said, reflecting the emotional resonance of the triumph.
Their combined brilliance embodied India’s dominance throughout the World Cup, setting new standards for performance and professionalism in women’s cricket.
President Droupadi Murmu also praised the team, saying, “I admire the way the girls have done India proud.”
Cricket legend Mithali Raj, who captained India to the 2017 final, expressed deep emotion, calling the victory a dream come true. “I’ve dreamt of this moment for over two decades. From the heartbreak of 2005 to the fight of 2017, every tear and every sacrifice has led to this,” she wrote on X.
Echoing the sentiment, Sachin Tendulkar congratulated the team, drawing a parallel to the 1983 men’s triumph. “1983 inspired an entire generation to dream big. Today, our Women’s Cricket Team has done something truly special,” he said.
Virat Kohli praised the team’s “fearless” brand of cricket, saying, “You’ve made every Indian proud. Enjoy the moment to the fullest. Jai Hind.”
Former opener Virender Sehwag added, “Champions! You’ve won the nation’s heart. This victory will inspire a whole generation to dream and shine.”
Industrialist Anand Mahindra shared, “They didn’t just lift the trophy. They lifted the game of women’s cricket itself, inspiring future generations of Indian champions.”
South Africa, the runners-up, received USD 2.24 million (₹20 crore), while the losing semifinalists were awarded USD 1.12 million (₹10 crore) each — a significant increase from the USD 300,000 (₹2.7 crore) in 2022.
Overall, the tournament’s prize pool stood at USD 13.88 million (₹123 crore) — nearly four times the total purse of the previous World Cup in New Zealand. This financial growth signifies the expanding stature and commercial strength of women’s cricket on the global stage.
As the champagne settles and the cheers continue, one thing is certain — this historic night in Navi Mumbai has forever changed the face of Indian cricket. The women’s team has not only claimed a trophy but has reignited the nation’s spirit — just as the men did in 1983.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India ( BCCI ) wasted no time in honouring this monumental achievement. On Monday, a day after the grand win, BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia announced a cash prize of ₹51 crore for the victorious squad. The reward will be shared among all members of the team, including players, coaches, selectors, and support staff, recognizing the collective effort that went into achieving this milestone.
“In 1983, Kapil Dev inspired a new era in Indian cricket with the men’s World Cup win. Today, our women have reignited that same spirit and pride for the nation,” Saikia said, announcing the reward while emphasising the parallel between the two landmark victories in Indian cricket history.
A Long-Awaited Triumph at Home
The final at Navi Mumbai’s DY Patil Stadium witnessed a packed house as captain Harmanpreet Kaur led her side to a historic victory. India’s strong batting performance and disciplined bowling dismantled South Africa’s chase, securing a 52-run win and sealing a moment that had eluded Indian women’s cricket for decades.For players like Smriti Mandhana, the win felt almost surreal. The opener expressed that she was still trying to process the magnitude of the achievement. “I haven’t been emotional on the cricket field before, but this is unreal. Winning the World Cup at home and being called Champions — it still hasn’t sunk in,” she said, reflecting the emotional resonance of the triumph.
A Watershed Moment in Indian Cricket
India’s head coach Amol Muzumdar described the World Cup triumph as a watershed moment for women’s cricket in India. He praised the team for its work ethic, unity, and resilience under pressure. “We never looked at the previous finals as failures. We just couldn’t cross the final hurdle then. But this time, we believed we were still alive in the tournament. And here we are, World Champions on 2nd November 2025,” he said with pride.Star Performers Shine on the Biggest Stage
The World Cup final also produced standout performances that will be remembered for years. Young sensation Shafali Verma was named Player of the Match for her explosive innings and vital spell with the ball. Meanwhile, Deepti Sharma was crowned Player of the Tournament for her exceptional all-round contributions — scoring 215 runs and taking 22 wickets in the tournament.Their combined brilliance embodied India’s dominance throughout the World Cup, setting new standards for performance and professionalism in women’s cricket.
Leaders and Legends Hail the Champions
The celebrations extended beyond the cricketing fraternity, with tributes pouring in from across the nation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while inaugurating the Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave (ESTIC) 2025 in New Delhi, took a moment to applaud the team’s historic win. “Before speaking about science, I must talk about India’s magnificent cricket victory. The entire nation is proud of our women’s cricket team. Your achievement will inspire millions of young Indians,” he said.President Droupadi Murmu also praised the team, saying, “I admire the way the girls have done India proud.”
Cricket legend Mithali Raj, who captained India to the 2017 final, expressed deep emotion, calling the victory a dream come true. “I’ve dreamt of this moment for over two decades. From the heartbreak of 2005 to the fight of 2017, every tear and every sacrifice has led to this,” she wrote on X.
Echoing the sentiment, Sachin Tendulkar congratulated the team, drawing a parallel to the 1983 men’s triumph. “1983 inspired an entire generation to dream big. Today, our Women’s Cricket Team has done something truly special,” he said.
Virat Kohli praised the team’s “fearless” brand of cricket, saying, “You’ve made every Indian proud. Enjoy the moment to the fullest. Jai Hind.”
Former opener Virender Sehwag added, “Champions! You’ve won the nation’s heart. This victory will inspire a whole generation to dream and shine.”
Industrialist Anand Mahindra shared, “They didn’t just lift the trophy. They lifted the game of women’s cricket itself, inspiring future generations of Indian champions.”
Record-Breaking Rewards and Recognition
The triumph was not only emotionally significant but also financially rewarding. India earned USD 4.48 million (around ₹40 crore) from the ICC as winners, a massive leap from the USD 1.32 million (₹12 crore) that Australia had received for their win three years earlier.South Africa, the runners-up, received USD 2.24 million (₹20 crore), while the losing semifinalists were awarded USD 1.12 million (₹10 crore) each — a significant increase from the USD 300,000 (₹2.7 crore) in 2022.
Overall, the tournament’s prize pool stood at USD 13.88 million (₹123 crore) — nearly four times the total purse of the previous World Cup in New Zealand. This financial growth signifies the expanding stature and commercial strength of women’s cricket on the global stage.
A Defining Moment for Indian Women’s Cricket
India’s maiden World Cup victory marks a turning point in the journey of women’s cricket in the country. The scenes of celebration, from the stadium to social media, reflect how far the sport has come and how bright its future now looks. From the young girls inspired by the team’s success to the veterans who paved the path, this win symbolises progress, pride, and perseverance.As the champagne settles and the cheers continue, one thing is certain — this historic night in Navi Mumbai has forever changed the face of Indian cricket. The women’s team has not only claimed a trophy but has reignited the nation’s spirit — just as the men did in 1983.
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