When the women of India clinched the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 title—defeating South Africa by 52 runs—it wasn’t just a trophy they were lifting. It was the culmination of decades of hard work, battles fought, hopes kindled, and dreams realized. In recognition of that achievement, the BCCI has announced a ₹51 crore cash reward for the entire team—players, coaches, and the support staff.
This isn’t just a number. It’s a statement. It tells us that women’s cricket in India is stepping into a new era where performance earns rewards worthy of its scale, where inspiration meets investment.
A watershed moment
The women’s team had already broken barriers, but this reward adds a financial dimension to their success. The BCCI secretary said the prize money for the women was increased by 300% and that the board wanted to acknowledge the team’s achievement in significant monetary terms. ([Business Today][2])
This cash reward goes beyond the prize money from the World Cup itself (which, from the International Cricket Council (ICC), stood at about USD 4.48 million / ~₹39.5 crore for the champions). The BCCI’s delivery of ₹51 crore emphasizes that the board is willing to invest in women’s success at the highest level.
What it means for the team & sport
For the players, this reward validates the years of grind, the left-field practices, the men-and-women alike wearing the jersey, the late nights and early mornings. It means that the numbers will now reflect not just what is expected of them—but also what they are worth.
For Indian cricket, it signals a shift: when a women’s team wins a World Cup, the reward is not symbolic—it is substantial. For young girls picking up the bat or ball today, this is a beacon: excellence will carry value.
For the ecosystem around women’s sport—coaches, physios, support staff—this payment recognises that behind every moment of glory there’s a team doing unseen work.
Key takeaways
The ₹51 crore reward is among the largest ever for a women’s sporting achievement in India.
Performance now has a clear financial outcome: success is rewarded in more than applause.
This could catalyze investment, sponsorship, and policy focus on women’s cricket.
However, outcomes now bring expectations: maintaining this standard—and translating it into sustained performance—will matter.
Challenges & broader context
While the reward is laudable, some voices point out that for the men’s team, similar triumphs have carried larger payouts—raising questions around parity and the structural support around women’s sport. Additionally, reward is just one piece of the puzzle. Infrastructure, exposure, and deep domestic competition—they still need continued strengthening.
Yet, for now, this moment matters. The women in blue have done their part; now the sport must match their ambition.
FAQ
Q1. Who receives the ₹51 crore reward?
The announcement covers the entire Indian women’s World Cup-winning contingent: players, coaches, selectors, and support staff.
Q2. Is this only the ICC prize money?
No. The ICC prize money for winning the World Cup was around ₹39.5 crore; the BCCI’s ₹51 crore is additional.
Q3. Does this mean women and men get equal rewards now?
Not exactly—while this is a large reward for the women’s team, it is still less than some recent large payouts for men’s teams, which has sparked commentary.
Q4. Will this amount go to each player equally?
The BCCI has not publicly broken down the exact distribution, but it is said to cover the full contingent (players plus staff).
Q5. What does this mean for women’s cricket in India?
It’s a landmark moment—showing that success will be rewarded, that investment follows performance—and it may help spur further growth in the women’s game.