India Celebrates Women’s Cricket World Cup Victory with $5.75 Million Reward
In a historic celebration, India’s cricket board has announced a generous reward of $5.75 million for the women’s cricket team following their stunning triumph in the ODI World Cup. The announcement comes after the team secured their first World Cup title by defeating South Africa by 52 runs in front of an enthusiastic home crowd at Mumbai’s DY Patil Stadium on Sunday.
Devajit Saikia, secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), expressed the board’s pride in the team, stating that the financial reward is “a token of appreciation” for the players, support staff, and selectors who contributed to the team’s success.
This victory marks a significant milestone for Indian women’s cricket, as the team had previously finished as runners-up in the 2005 and 2017 tournaments. Their remarkable journey in this World Cup was particularly impressive, as they faced challenges during the league phase, including three consecutive defeats. However, they managed to secure the last semifinal spot and achieved a stunning upset by knocking out the record seven-time champions, Australia.
The women’s team has already received $4.48 million in prize money from the International Cricket Council (ICC), a staggering increase from the $1.32 million awarded to the Australian team in 2022. This edition of the Women’s World Cup featured a total prize pool of $13.88 million, surpassing the $10 million awarded in the previous men’s championship.
The victory ignited celebrations across the nation, with fans taking to the streets in Delhi, waving Indian flags and lighting fireworks in jubilation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the team’s achievement, stating that this “historic win will motivate future champions to take up sports,” highlighting the impact of their success on the next generation of athletes.
