Mumbai, 1 November 2025: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is reportedly preparing a landmark cash reward of ₹125 crore for the India women’s national cricket team should they win the 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, matching the same sum awarded to the men’s team for their recent global triumph. Discussions within the board reflect a strong push for parity in recognition and reward across genders in Indian cricket.
Key Points
- The BCCI is considering rewarding the women’s team with ₹125 crore if they lift the trophy, matching the amount given to the men’s team after their 2024 T20 World Cup win.
- This proposed bonus aligns with the BCCI’s “equal-pay” policy for men’s and women’s national teams.
- While no formal announcement has been made yet, board officials say the decision depends on the outcome of the final.
- For context: Back in 2017, after their loss in the final, the women’s team received ₹50 lakh per player. A win this time could mean a ten-fold increase.
- The proposed reward would mark the largest single payout in Indian women’s sport history, if approved.
What Happened
The Indian women’s cricket team, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, are preparing to contest the final of the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup against South Africa women’s cricket team at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on 2 November. In anticipation of a potential historic victory, the BCCI is reported to be in discussions to ensure the women’s team receives the same exemplary reward that the men’s team earned after their global triumph in 2024.
Key Facts & Data
- The men’s national team, after winning the 2024 T20 World Cup, was awarded ₹125 crore by the BCCI for the entire squad and support staff.
- The BCCI’s equal-pay policy ensures that women cricketers receive the same match fees as men for international fixtures.
- In 2017, after reaching the final but losing, each India women’s team player was awarded ₹50 lakh.
- The 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup has been seen as a landmark event for women’s cricket, raising the stakes not just on the field but off it.
Statements & Reactions
A senior BCCI official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said:
“The BCCI supports equal pay for men and women and hence there are a lot of discussions that if our girls win the World Cup, the reward will not be anything less compared to the men’s global triumph. But it isn’t nice to announce before they win the Cup.”
Cricket analysts have remarked that such a reward would be a watershed moment for women’s sport in India — not just for recognition but for signalling that performance is valued equally, regardless of gender.
Current Status & What’s Next
At this moment the reward remains under discussion and is not officially declared. The final decision appears contingent on the outcome of the final match. If the Indian women’s team wins, the BCCI is expected to approve and announce the ₹125 crore payout for the squad and support staff. If they fall short, the discussions may still influence how future women’s rewards are structured.
In the coming days, attention will shift to how the distribution would work: how much goes to each player, support staff, and whether the timing and structure will mirror the men’s payout. The outcome of this decision could influence contracts, sponsorships and the overall economics of women’s cricket in India.
Context & Background: Why This Matters
This is about more than one match or one reward. For decades women’s sport globally has fought for parity — in pay, recognition, resources. The fact that the BCCI is ready to match what the men received is a strong signal that the institution acknowledges this shift.
For the India women’s cricket team, winning the World Cup would mark a historic first-ever global title in this format. But beyond the trophy, securing a reward equal to what the men got would normalise the idea that excellence in women’s sport commands the same commercial and institutional recognition.
Additionally, such an announcement ahead of a final raises the stakes: it sets expectations, it sends a message to broadcasters, sponsors, young players – that this is elite sport deserving elite rewards. If executed, it could catalyse further investment in women’s leagues, grassroots programmes and pave the way for structural change in how women’s cricket is managed, marketed and monetised in India.
In short: this isn’t merely a cash bonus. It could mark a turning point in the economics, perception and professional status of women’s cricket in India.
