India’s historic ICC Women’s World Cup triumph has not only delivered a moment of unmatched pride but also unlocked the biggest-ever financial reward in the history of women’s cricket in the country. Following the iconic win over South Africa, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced a record Rs 51 crore cash prize for the team.
This landmark victory marks India’s first-ever Women’s World Cup title across both ODI and T20I formats, finally erasing the heartbreaks of the 2005 and 2017 finals and inspiring a new generation of cricketers.
What did BCCI announce?
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed the reward after the win, stating that the team, along with coaches and support staff, will share a Rs 51 crore prize pool.
“In 1983, Kapil Dev ushered in a new era for Indian cricket. Today, Harmanpreet Kaur and her team have done the same for women’s cricket,” Saikia told ANI.
He praised BCCI’s ongoing commitment to women’s cricket, highlighting key reforms under Jay Shah, including:
- Pay parity for women’s players
- 300% hike in ICC Women’s tournament prize money, from $2.88 million to $14 million
Saikia emphasised that these steps have significantly elevated the sport’s stature and support ecosystem in India.
ICC Prize Money vs BCCI Reward
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| ICC Women’s World Cup winners’ prize | $14 million (~Rs 116 crore) (global purse — share depends on team distribution policy) |
| BCCI prize for Team India | Rs 51 crore |
Note: ICC prize money is awarded to the board, which then allocates the share to players and staff. BCCI’s direct Rs 51 crore reward ensures a massive personal financial boost for the squad.
Who gets the reward?
The BCCI confirmed the reward covers:
- Players
- Coaches
- Support staff
This ensures everyone behind the scenes shares in the historic glory.
A performance to remember
India’s title run was powered by:
- Shafali Verma’s blistering 87 and two wickets
- Deepti Sharma’s all-round masterclass — 58 runs & record-breaking 5/39 in the final
- Solid contributions from Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh and Harmanpreet Kaur
India posted 298/7, then bowled South Africa out for 246, despite Laura Wolvaardt’s valiant century.
What this means for women’s cricket
This moment marks a turning point for women’s cricket in India — financially, culturally, and emotionally. With unprecedented prize money, pay parity, and institutional support, India’s women cricketers now stand at the dawn of a new era.
As Saikia said, “They have not just won a trophy — they have won the hearts of Indians and paved the way for the next generation.”
India’s champions now return home not just with a trophy but with history made, pride restored, and a financial windfall like never before in women’s cricket.
