The scenes at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Sunday night were nothing short of iconic. Under the floodlights, tears met triumph as Harmanpreet Kaur and her team lifted India’s maiden ICC Women’s World Cup trophy — a moment generations of cricketers and fans had dreamed of.
The celebration did not end on the field. In a record-setting gesture, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced a ₹51 crore cash reward for the players, coaches, and support staff. This is the largest cash prize ever awarded in Indian women’s sporting history.
Along with the USD 4.48 million prize (~₹39.78 crore) that the ICC will distribute to the World Cup champions, Team India’s total reward kitty now stands at nearly ₹91 crore — a landmark moment for women’s sport in the country.
Yes — Harmanpreet Kaur and her golden girls collectively take home ₹91 crore.
“A new chapter begins”
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia described the win as a moment that “turns belief into a movement,” comparing it to the transformative impact of India’s 1983 World Cup triumph under Kapil Dev.
“In 1983, Kapil Dev brought a new era and encouragement in cricket by making India win the World Cup. The same excitement and encouragement has been introduced by the women today,” Saikia told ANI.
“Harmanpreet Kaur and her team have not just won the trophy today; they have won the hearts of all Indians.”
Jay Shah’s role in women’s cricket rise
Saikia also credited ICC Chairman Jay Shah for accelerating the rise of women’s cricket in India:
- Equal pay for women cricketers
- 300% increase in Women’s World Cup prize money — from $2.88M to $14M
- Stronger domestic structure & pathways
- Launch of the Women’s Premier League (WPL)
“These steps have greatly promoted women’s cricket,” Saikia said.
A watershed moment
The 2025 Women’s World Cup had a total prize purse of $13.88 million (~₹123 crore) — nearly triple the 2022 edition, symbolising the sport’s rapid global expansion.
With stadiums full, television records broken, and a new generation glued to their screens, this triumph is more than a victory — it is a revolution in motion.
And now, backed by ₹91 crore in total reward, India’s trailblazers step into a new era — not just champions of the world, but champions of change.
