The Indian women’s cricket team stands one win away from rewriting history as they face South Africa in the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup final at the DY Patil Stadium on Sunday.It is understood that the BCCI is preparing a record cash reward for Harmanpreet Kaur and her team if they lift the trophy in a move in line with the board’s commitment to equal pay.
“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 men’s global triumph. But it isn’t nice to make an announcement before they win the Cup,” an anonymous BCCI source told PTI. It is learnt that the BCCI is considering an amount similar to what the men’s team received after winning the 2024 T20 World Cup. On that occasion, the Rohit Sharma-led side, along with the support staff, was awarded ₹125 crore for their title-winning performance against South Africa in the final. Going by the same, the women’s team could be in line for one of the biggest financial rewards in the history of Indian women’s sport. The discussion reportedly stems from the “equal pay” principle introduced under then BCCI secretary and now ICC chairman Jay Shah. The policy ensured that India’s women cricketers receive match fees identical to their male counterparts. Back in 2017, when India narrowly lost the World Cup final to England at Lord’s by nine runs, each player was rewarded ₹50 lakh, with head coach Tushar Arothe and the support staff also recognised for their efforts. Eight years later, the stakes are much higher, be it on or off the field.
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A win on Sunday would not only secure India’s first-ever women’s World Cup triumph but also mark a major step forward in recognising parity in rewards for women’s cricket.Money aside, Sunday’s final will result in a new Women’s World Cup champion being crowned.
