In a groundbreaking gesture that underscores the significance of India’s maiden ICC Women’s World Cup triumph, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced a massive cash reward of INR 51 crore for the victorious team. This historic announcement, made by BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia, represents the largest single reward ever distributed in Indian women’s sporting history, cementing the board’s commitment to recognizing excellence in women’s cricket.
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Historic Announcement Following World Cup Glory
The announcement came in the immediate aftermath of India’s thrilling 52-run victory over South Africa in the World Cup final at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. Speaking to ANI, BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed that the unprecedented reward would be distributed among all members of the World Cup-winning contingent.
BCCI’s Official Prize Distribution Plan
| Beneficiary Category | Coverage Details |
|---|---|
| Players | All squad members including playing XI and reserves |
| Coaching Staff | Head coach Amol Muzumdar and entire coaching team |
| Support Staff | Physiotherapists, trainers, analysts, logistics team |
| Selection Committee | Chief selector and selection panel members |
| Total Amount | INR 51 crore (separate from ICC prize money) |
“BCCI is elated and without touching anything from the ICC kitty, BCCI on its own is going to pay, as a reward, of INR 51 crores to the Indian team. That amount will go to the players, selectors, as well as the support staff headed by Amol Muzumdar,” Saikia announced during the official statement.
Contextualizing the Reward: A New Era for Women’s Cricket
The BCCI’s decision to announce such a substantial reward reflects the transformative journey of women’s cricket in India under the leadership of Jay Shah, who served as BCCI Secretary from 2019 to 2024 before becoming ICC Chairman. Saikia emphasized how this victory parallels the historic impact of India’s 1983 men’s World Cup triumph under Kapil Dev.
“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 introduced by the women today. Harmanpreet Kaur and her team have not just won the trophy today, they have won the hearts of all Indians,” Saikia remarked.
Total Prize Money: A Combined Windfall of INR 90+ Crore
The BCCI’s announcement adds to the already substantial ICC prize money, creating an unprecedented financial recognition for the team’s achievement. The combined reward structure demonstrates the elevated status of women’s cricket on the global stage.
Complete Prize Money Breakdown
| Prize Source | Amount (INR) | Recipient Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| ICC Prize Money | INR 39.78 crore (USD 4.48 million) | Team prize from ICC |
| BCCI Cash Reward | INR 51 crore | Players, coaches, staff, selectors |
| Total Combined | INR 90+ crore | Comprehensive coverage for all |
This total represents a staggering 239% increase from the previous edition’s prize money, highlighting the ICC’s commitment to pay parity under Jay Shah’s chairmanship. The women’s prize pool for 2025 stood at INR 116 crore, nearly three times higher than the INR 29 crore distributed in the 2022 tournament.
Jay Shah’s Transformational Impact on Women’s Cricket
BCCI Secretary Saikia credited much of the progress in women’s cricket to the visionary leadership of Jay Shah during his tenure as BCCI Secretary. Under Shah’s guidance, several revolutionary changes were implemented that laid the foundation for this historic success.
Key Reforms Under Jay Shah’s Leadership
- Pay Parity Implementation: Equal compensation structure for male and female cricketers
- 300% Prize Money Increase: ICC women’s prize money increased from $2.88 million to $14 million
- Infrastructure Development: Enhanced training facilities and support systems
- Women’s Premier League: Launch of professional T20 league providing exposure and earnings
- International Exposure: Increased bilateral series and tournament participation
“Since Jay Shah took charge of the BCCI, 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 percent. All these steps have greatly promoted women’s cricket,” Saikia acknowledged.
India’s Path to Glory: Overcoming Decades of Heartbreak
The World Cup victory holds special significance as it ended India’s long wait for a major ICC title in women’s cricket. The team had previously experienced heartbreak in the 2005 and 2017 World Cup finals, making this triumph particularly sweet for players, fans, and the entire cricket fraternity.
Tournament Highlights Leading to Victory
The journey to glory was marked by several standout performances that demonstrated India’s evolution as a cricketing powerhouse:
- Semifinal Victory: Historic win against defending champions Australia
- Final Performance: Dominant display against South Africa with Shafali Verma’s 87 and Deepti Sharma’s all-round brilliance
- Team Effort: Contributions from across the squad showcasing India’s depth and preparation
Impact Beyond Cricket: Inspiring Future Generations
The BCCI’s generous reward announcement extends beyond mere financial recognition. It represents a powerful statement about the board’s commitment to women’s sports and its potential to inspire countless young girls across India to pursue cricket professionally.
Broader Implications for Indian Sports
| Impact Area | Expected Outcomes |
|---|---|
| Grassroots Participation | Increased enrollment in women’s cricket programs |
| Professional Aspirations | Enhanced career viability for female cricketers |
| Corporate Investment | Greater sponsorship interest in women’s sports |
| Media Coverage | Elevated profile for women’s cricket |
| Infrastructure Development | Improved facilities at state and local levels |
Recognition from Cricket’s Leadership
The announcement has garnered praise from across the cricket fraternity, with BCCI officials expressing their pride in the team’s achievement. BCCI President Mithun Manhas emphasized the board’s long-term investment in women’s cricket, stating, “This triumph vindicates the investment and faith the BCCI placed in building a world-class women’s programme.”
Treasurer A. Raghuram Bhat described the victory as “a watershed moment for women’s cricket in India and globally,” while Honorary Joint Secretary Prabhtej Singh Bhatia declared it as ushering “a new era for Indian cricket.”
Looking Forward: Building on Historic Success
The BCCI’s unprecedented reward announcement signals a new chapter in Indian women’s cricket, where excellence is recognized and rewarded at the highest level. This financial commitment, combined with ongoing structural reforms, positions India to maintain its newfound status as a global powerhouse in women’s cricket.
The board has indicated that distribution details will be shared with team management following formal approval of the award structure, ensuring transparency in the allocation process. This methodical approach reflects the BCCI’s commitment to establishing sustainable frameworks for recognizing sporting excellence.
As celebrations continue across the nation, this historic reward announcement reinforces the message that women’s cricket in India has truly arrived on the global stage, backed by institutional support that matches the players’ extraordinary achievements on the field.
Read More: Women’s World Cup 2025 Team of the Tournament
FAQs
How much total prize money will India’s Women’s World Cup team receive?
The team will receive a combined total of over INR 90 crore, including INR 39.78 crore from ICC prize money and INR 51 crore announced by BCCI as an additional reward.
Who will benefit from BCCI’s INR 51 crore cash reward announcement?
The reward will be distributed among players, coaches, support staff, and selection committee members, ensuring comprehensive coverage of the entire World Cup-winning contingent.
How does this reward compare to previous women’s cricket prizes in India?
This represents the largest single reward ever announced in Indian women’s sporting history, showing BCCI’s unprecedented commitment to recognizing excellence in women’s cricket.
What role did Jay Shah play in transforming women’s cricket prize money?
As BCCI Secretary (2019-2024) and current ICC Chairman, Jay Shah implemented pay parity and increased ICC women’s prize money by 300%, from $2.88 million to $14 million.
When will the BCCI cash reward be distributed to the team?
BCCI will share distribution details with team management after formal approval of the award structure, ensuring transparent allocation among all beneficiaries.
