NEW DELHI, Nov 3: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced a Rs 51 crore reward for the players and support staff of the Indian Women’s Cricket Team for winning the ICC Women’s World Cup by defeating South Africa by 52 runs in the finals at the DY Patil stadium in Navi Mumbai on Sunday night.
In a watershed moment for Indian cricket, the national women’s team etched their name in history by winning their first-ever ICC Women’s World Cup title. The BCCI reward for the team and support staff was announced by the secretary Devajit Saikia on Monday.
The President Droupadi Murmu, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a large number of other dignitaries as well as prominent cricketers congratulated the team for their spectacular achievements.
The IPL chairman Arun Dhumal lauded the team’s historic feat, drawing parallels with India’s iconic 1983 men’s World Cup triumph. “It’s a red-letter day for Indian women’s cricket. What the men’s team achieved in 1983, the Indian women have recreated today in Mumbai. This historic triumph will give a tremendous boost to women’s cricket in the country, and I’m confident our game will now reach new heights,” Dhumal said.
Earlier, asked to bat first, India posted a commanding 298/7, powered by Shafali Verma’s fluent 87, Deepti Sharma’s composed 58, and valuable contributions from Smriti Mandhana (45) and Richa Ghosh (34). A solid 104-runs opening stand between Mandhana and Verma set the platform for a big total before South Africa clawed back late to keep India just under the 300-mark.
Chasing 299, South Africa began confidently as Tazmin Brits and Laura Wolvaardt put together a brisk fifty-run opening partnership. But a sharp direct hit from Amanjot Kaur ended Brits’ stay, and from there, India seized control of the contest.
Young pacer Sree Charani struck in her first over, trapping Anneke Bosch LBW, before Shafali Verma – shining with the ball as well – produced a game-turning spell, removing Sune Luus and Marizanne Kapp in quick succession.
Deepti Sharma then delivered a dream performance, claiming 5 for 39 to crush South Africa’s middle order. Despite South African captain Wolvaardt’s fighting 101, the Proteas fell short, bundled out for 246 in 45.3 overs, as India sealed a famous 52-run victory amid roaring home support. As the tricolour soared high and the players embraced in tears of joy, the moment marked not just a World Cup triumph – but the dawn of a new era for Indian women’s cricket.
Meanwhile, in less than 24 hours after India’s historic Women’s ODI World Cup triumph, skipper Harmanpreet Kaur has landed a huge endorsement deal with realty firm Omaxe Ltd. Harmanpreet has been signed as Omaxe’s brand ambassador, with the realty firm hoping to make the most of India’s maiden World Cup title in women’s cricket by tying itself with the skipper.
In a statement on Monday, Omaxe, one of the leading real estate firms in the country, announced the appointment of Kaur as the company’s brand ambassador. Omaxe said the company’s partnership with Harmanpreet Kaur reinforces its vision to back sporting excellence and create infrastructure where athletes can thrive. On the association, Harmanpreet Kaur said, “I am proud to join Omaxe as its brand ambassador and to stand with a company that believes in empowering youth, strengthening communities, and building facilities that inspire dreams and turn them into achievements.”
(Manas Dasgupta)