BCCI Announces Rs 51 Crore Reward After India’s Women Clinch Historic World Cup Title

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) led nationwide celebrations on Sunday night after the national women’s team secured their first-ever ICC Women’s World Cup crown with a thrilling 52-run victory over South Africa at the DY Patil Stadium in Mumbai.

BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia announced a reward of Rs 51 crore for the players and support staff. He further called the triumph a ‘monumental achievement that will take Indian women’s cricket to a new level’.

The governing body hailed the win as a defining chapter in Indian cricket history, signalling a new era for the women’s game.

IPL chairman Arun Dhumal echoed the sentiment, comparing the victory to India’s iconic 1983 men’s World Cup success.

“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 stated.

On the field, India’s performance matched the scale of the occasion.

Batting first, the hosts amassed 298 for 7, powered by Shafali Verma’s fluent 87 and Deepti Sharma’s steady 58. Openers Smriti Mandhana (45) and Verma added a crucial 100-run stand that set up a strong platform despite a late South African fightback.

Chasing 299, South Africa began well through Tazmin Brits and Laura Wolvaardt, who forged a brisk fifty-run opening stand.

But a sharp run-out from Amanjot Kaur shifted the momentum. Rising pacer Sree Charani struck in her first over, before Verma struck twice in quick succession to derail the chase.

Deepti Sharma then starred with the ball, claiming 5 for 39 to seal India’s dominance.

Wolvaardt’s valiant 101 went in vain as South Africa were dismissed for 246 in 45.3 overs.

As the players celebrated under the floodlights and tricolours waved in the stands, India’s women lifted not only the World Cup, but also the hopes of a nation. It was a moment that symbolised the growing recognition of women’s sport in India.

Brief Scores:

India posted 298 for 7 in their 50 overs, thanks to Shafali Verma’s fluent 87 and Deepti Sharma’s steady 58. Richa Ghosh also chipped in with 34, while Ayabonga Khaka was the pick of the South African bowlers with figures of 3 for 58.

In reply, South Africa were bowled out for 246 in 45.3 overs. Although Laura Wolvaardt fought valiantly with a superb 101 and Annerie Dercksen added 35, the chase eventually fell short.

Eventually, Deepti Sharma’s five-wicket haul (5 for 39) and Shafali Verma’s timely strikes (2 for 36) sealed India’s 52-run triumph.

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