In a historic moment for Indian cricket, the Indian women’s team has not only clinched their first-ever Women’s World Cup title but also secured a monumental prize — a record-breaking USD 4.48 million (approximately Rs 39.78 crore) from the International Cricket Council (ICC).
The team achieved this landmark victory by defeating South Africa in a thrilling final held at the DY Patil Stadium on Sunday. This triumph isn’t just about the silverware; it also marks a significant financial milestone, benefiting from a substantially increased tournament prize pool of USD 13.88 million (about Rs 123 crore), as announced by the ICC.
This year’s prize money represents an astonishing 297 percent increase compared to the USD 3.5 million purse in the 2022 edition held in New Zealand. Specifically, the champions’ share of USD 4.48 million is a massive 239 percent jump from the USD 1.32 million that Australia received as winners of the previous World Cup.
The financial rewards extend beyond the champions: runners-up South Africa will take home USD 2.24 million (Rs 19.88 crore). Even the losing semi-finalists are set to receive a substantial USD 1.12 million (Rs 9.94 crore) each. Furthermore, all eight participating teams were guaranteed USD 250,000 just for participation, with an additional USD 34,314 awarded for every group-stage victory.
In a move reflecting a commitment to gender equality in sports, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is reportedly considering matching the prize money and bonuses awarded to the men’s team following their T20 World Cup 2024 win. A senior BCCI source commented, “The BCCI supports equal pay for men and women and hence there are lot of discussions that if our girls win the World Cup, the reward won’t be anything less compared to the men’s global triumph. But it isn’t nice to make an announcement before they win the Cup.”
With the Rohit Sharma-led men’s team having been awarded ₹125 crore for their T20 World Cup victory last year, this figure could now serve as a powerful benchmark for the women’s team’s unprecedented success.
As celebrations continue across Navi Mumbai, India’s remarkable triumph and the record-setting prize money underscore a pivotal moment for women’s cricket. It strongly aligns with the ICC’s vision for “a world-class Women’s Cricket World Cup” and “a clear commitment to long-term growth” of the sport globally.
In the final match, Team India women secured their victory by defeating Laura Wolvaardt’s South Africa by 52 runs.