The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Secretary Devajit Saikia has announced a cash prize of ₹51 crore for the ICC Women’s World Cup-winning Indian team.
India beat South Africa by 52 runs in the final at Mumbai’s DY Patil Stadium, ending decades of near misses after losses in the 2005 and 2017 finals.
Speaking to ANI, Saikia said, “In 1983, Kapil Dev brought about a new era and encouragement in cricket by making India win the World Cup. The same excitement and encouragement have been brought by the women today. Harmanpreet Kaur and her team have not just won the trophy today — they have won the hearts of all Indians. They have paved the way for the next generation of women cricketers. Women’s cricket had already reached the next level when our team defeated Australia in the semifinals.”
Saikia credited ICC Chairman Jay Shah for reforms in women’s cricket, including pay parity and a 300% increase in ICC prize money.
“Since Jay Shah took charge of the BCCI (serving as Secretary from 2019 to 2024), he has brought about many transformations in women’s cricket. Pay parity was also addressed. Last month, ICC Chairman Jay Shah increased women’s prize money by 300 per cent. Earlier, the prize money was $2.88 million, and now it has been increased to $14 million. All these steps have greatly promoted women’s cricket. The BCCI has also announced a reward of ₹51 crore for the entire team — players, coaches, and support staff”, he added.
Batting first, India posted 298 for seven, with Shafali Verma top-scoring on 87 and Deepti Sharma adding 58. Smriti Mandhana made 45 and Richa Ghosh hit 34 to push India near the 300-mark.
South Africa’s chase began steadily, with Laura Wolvaardt scoring a defiant 101, but Deepti Sharma’s five wickets for 39 runs dismantled the middle order. Shafali Verma also took two wickets as South Africa were bowled out for 246.
The win marked India’s first world title in women’s cricket, echoing the men’s breakthrough World Cup victory in 1983.
