In a watershed moment for Indian sport, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced a ₹51 crore cash reward for the India women’s national cricket team following their maiden ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup victory. The announcement, made just hours after India defeated South Africa by 52 runs in the final, marks one of the largest-ever prize allocations for a women’s sports team in India and underscores how far the women’s game has come in national recognition and value.
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia called the achievement “a defining moment in Indian cricket history,” noting that the financial reward was meant to honour the magnitude of the team’s accomplishment. The governing body confirmed that the sum will be distributed among the players, coaching staff, and support personnel who played a part in India’s World Cup campaign. The board’s president, Roger Binny, lauded the team’s resilience and skill, saying the win has “redefined Indian cricket’s global identity” and set new benchmarks for professionalism and excellence.
The ₹51 crore reward stands as a symbolic and practical step forward in the BCCI’s commitment to women’s cricket. While earlier rewards for the men’s teams in 2007 and 2011 were substantially higher, the current allocation is historic within the context of women’s sport in India. It represents the board’s recognition that women’s cricket is now a mainstream product with mass appeal, broadcast power, and the ability to inspire a new generation.
India’s victory — achieved through dominant performances from stars like Shafali Verma, Deepti Sharma, and captain Harmanpreet Kaur — captured the imagination of millions. The players’ emotional celebrations in Navi Mumbai and the outpouring of support from across the nation reflected how deeply the win resonated. The team’s journey, from underfunded beginnings to world champions, has been hailed as a symbol of India’s evolving sporting culture.
Experts suggest that the BCCI’s announcement may catalyse further reforms. It is expected to influence pay scales, central contracts, and the financial structuring of women’s domestic cricket in India. Additionally, sponsors and broadcasters are now likely to re-evaluate the market potential of women’s cricket, especially in light of record-breaking viewership figures for the World Cup final.
Players have expressed that the victory and the subsequent recognition will encourage more young girls to pursue cricket seriously. “It’s not just a reward — it’s an acknowledgment that we belong here,” said one senior player.
The ₹51 crore payout, then, is not merely a gesture of goodwill — it’s a landmark statement of equality and intent. For the BCCI, it signals a strategic pivot from token support to full-scale investment. For the players, it validates years of unseen toil and quiet resilience. And for Indian sport, it may well mark the dawn of an era where women’s cricket is celebrated not as a counterpart, but as an equal.
12BET Shortlisted for Sportsbook Operator of the Year at SBC Awards 2025