The Indian women's cricket team has etched a golden chapter in the nation's sporting history by ending a 47-year wait to lift their maiden ICC World Cup trophy. The historic triumph in the final against South Africa in Navi Mumbai on Sunday was immediately followed by the announcement of an unprecedented financial reward, confirming the team's victory marks a watershed moment for women's cricket in India.
Record-Breaking Cash Reward Announced
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has confirmed a monumental financial boost for the victorious 'Women in Blue'. BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia announced a cash reward of ₹51 crore for the entire contingent.
"In addition, the BCCI has decided to reward the entire Indian team — players, coaches, selectors, and support staff — with a total of Rs 51 crore," Devajit Saikia confirmed.
This massive reward is a recognition of the team's "efforts... during the victorious home campaign, ending the heartbreaks of the 2005 and 2017 finals defeats."
Global Prize Money Soars, Reflecting Game's Rise
The team's total prize money is a combination of the BCCI's bonus and the International Cricket Council's (ICC) significantly hiked winner's cheque.
ICC Prize Money: The winners were set to receive USD 4.48 million (approximately ₹42 crore), as announced by ICC Chairman Jay Shah ahead of the competition.
Total Financial Package: The combined prize money for the team's collective efforts, including the BCCI's reward and the ICC's prize, is an enormous sum.
The ICC prize money itself is a powerful statement on the rapid rise of the women's game. It is more than triple the USD 1.32 million won by the previous champions in the 2022 edition, and even surpasses the USD 4 million the Australian men’s team received for winning the 2023 Men’s World Cup.
Final Showdown: India Edges Out South Africa
In a commanding performance, India defeated South Africa by 52 runs in the final, setting a challenging target of 299 runs for the Proteas.
Star Performers of the Final
The victory was powered by stunning all-round contributions, with two players standing out in particular:
Shafali Verma: The young opener was the undisputed star, delivering a brilliant, match-winning performance with both bat and ball. She top-scored with a superb 87 runs and then scalped two crucial wickets in the middle overs, dismissing Sune Luus and Marizanne Kapp.
Deepti Sharma: Complementing the team's effort, the all-rounder capped off a successful tournament with an all-round display that included a half-century and an incredible five-wicket haul in the final.
The victory not only delivers India's first-ever ICC World Cup title in the women's 50-over format but also sets a new financial benchmark for female athletes in the country, signalling a bright future for the 'Women in Blue'.
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