The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has unveiled a staggering Rs 51 crore cash incentive for the World Cup champions, encompassing players, selectors, coaches, and the entire support staff under head coach Amol Muzumdar. This reward, announced independently of the ICC's share, underscores the board's unwavering commitment to elevating women's cricket from strength to unparalleled heights.
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia, in a statement to media, described the feat as a "monumental achievement that will take Indian women's cricket to a new level." He drew parallels to the transformative 1983 men's World Cup win under Kapil Dev, noting, "Harmanpreet Kaur and her team have not just won the trophy; they have won the hearts of all Indians." Saikia credited ICC Chairman and former BCCI Secretary Jay Shah for spearheading a 300% surge in women's prize money - from $2.88 million to $14 million, highlighting pay parity initiatives that have turbocharged the sport's growth. "These steps have greatly promoted women's cricket," he affirmed, emphasising the reward's role in paving pathways for aspiring talents nationwide.
The announcement comes on the heels of India's emphatic 52-run demolition of South Africa in the final at Dr. DY Patil Stadium, where Shafali Verma's explosive 87 and Deepti Sharma's all-round wizardry (58 runs and 5/39) propelled the Women in Blue to 298/7. This victory, their first in three final appearances (after heartbreaks in 2005 and 2017), capped a flawless campaign: seven league wins, a nail-biting semi-final heist against Australia defending 341, and Smriti Mandhana's tournament-leading 434 runs.
Complementing the BCCI's gesture, the ICC disbursed $4.48 million (approximately Rs 39.55 crore) to the winners from a record $13.88 million pool - a 297% leap from 2022's edition. Together, these windfalls total over Rs 90 crore, dwarfing previous benchmarks and signaling a seismic shift in gender equity. As celebrations ripple from Mumbai's streets to remote academies, Saikia's words resonate: this isn't merely reward - it's rocket fuel for a generation of girls gripping bats with renewed vigour.
The infusion promises infrastructure upgrades, enhanced domestic leagues, and global scouting drives, ensuring India's daughters don't just compete but conquer. In hoisting the trophy, Harmanpreet's squad didn't just etch history; they've unlocked an era where blue jerseys symbolise boundless possibilities
