India’s triumphant victory in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 is doing more than just rewriting the history books; it’s fundamentally reshaping the financial landscape of women’s cricket. After a thrilling 52-run win against South Africa in the final at Navi Mumbai’s DY Patil Stadium, Harmanpreet Kaur and her formidable team are set to receive an unprecedented combined windfall exceeding ₹90 crore in prize money and cash rewards.
In recognition of their historic maiden world title, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia announced a substantial cash prize of ₹51 crore for the entire contingent, including players, coaches, and support staff. Saikia drew parallels to the 1983 World Cup victory, stating, “In 1983, Kapil Dev ushered in a new era for Indian cricket. The women’s team has now brought the same excitement and encouragement. Harmanpreet Kaur and her team have not only secured the trophy but have also captured the hearts of every Indian.”
The victory also earned India a record-breaking USD 4.48 million (approximately ₹39.78 crore) in prize money from the International Cricket Council (ICC), the highest amount ever awarded in any cricket World Cup. The total prize pool for the 2025 tournament stood at USD 13.88 million (around ₹123 crore), representing an astounding 297% increase from the previous edition held in New Zealand.
This significant financial boost from the ICC comes under the leadership of Chairman Jay Shah, who had previously tripled prize money for women’s cricket as part of his broader commitment to gender parity and investment in the women’s game. “Since Jay Shah took charge of the BCCI, numerous transformative changes have occurred – including pay parity, comprehensive coaching overhauls, and the emergence of the Women’s Premier League (WPL), all of which have irrevocably changed women’s cricket for the better,” Saikia further elaborated.
As celebrations continue, this financial milestone ensures that India’s World Cup heroes, including Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, and Deepti Sharma, will be remembered not just as champions, but as trailblazers who elevated women’s cricket to a profession of immense prestige and prosperity. Their maiden world title and these groundbreaking rewards signify more than just a cup; they’ve redefined what victory truly means for generations to come.