The ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, hosted in India from September 30 to November 2. The tournament brought together the best women’s teams in the world for the honoured 50-over title. India, playing on home soil, triumphed after an unforgettable campaign which inspired millions. The tournament not only celebrated sporting excellence but also showcased the growing recognition and rewards for women athletes.
Champions and Historic Rewards
After India’s inspirational victory in the final, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced a historic cash reward of ₹51 crore for the World Cup-winning Indian women’s team, including players, coaches, and support staff. It is one of the biggest financial rewards which is ever given to a women’s sports team in India and it also highlights the BCCI’s commitment to promoting women’s cricket.
BCCI Secretary Jay Shah shared the announcement, calling the team’s triumph “a landmark moment in Indian cricket” and praising their determination and teamwork. The decision was welcomed across the cricket community, seen as a major step toward gender equality in sports recognition.
ICC Prize Money Breakdown
The International Cricket Council (ICC) awarded a total prize pool of USD 13.88 million (around ₹122 crore) for the 2025 edition, which is nearly four times the amount offered in the 2022 tournament. Here’s how the ICC distributed the prize money:
| Position | Prize (USD) | Approx. in INR |
| Champions (India) | 4.48 million | ₹39.55 crore |
| Runners-up (South Africa) | 2.24 million | ₹19.77 crore |
| Losing semi-finalists (each) | 1.12 million | ₹9.89 crore |
| 5th & 6th place teams (each) | 700,000 | ₹6.2 crore |
| 7th & 8th place teams (each) | 280,000 | ₹2.47 crore |
| Group stage win bonus (per win) | 34,314 | ₹30.29 lakh per win |
| Participation fee (each team) | 250,000 | ₹2.20 crore |
These figures highlight the ICC’s efforts to bring financial equality and recognition to the women’s game, aligning closer with the rewards seen in men’s tournaments.
Also read: IND vs SA Final Highlights: India Lift Women’s ODI World Cup After 52 Run Victory Over South Africa
Individual Award Winners
Player of the Tournament: Deepti Sharma (India) – 215 runs and 22 wickets, leading with all-round brilliance.
Player of the Match (Final): Shafali Verma (India) – 87 runs off 78 balls and 2 wickets in the title clash.
Most Runs: Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa) – 571 runs in nine innings.
Most Wickets: Deepti Sharma (India) – 22 wickets.
Why It Matters
The 2025 World Cup was a turning point for women’s cricket:
- It saw a record of massive prize money and huge crowds across Indian venues.
- The ₹51 crore reward by the BCCI sent a powerful message about valuing women athletes equally.
- Young girls across India and beyond now have stronger role models and clearer financial opportunities in cricket.
Conclusion
The ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 will be remembered not as just a historic win for India’s, but also for redefining the financial and social value of women’s cricket. The combined prize from the ICC and BCCI, is over ₹90 crore in total, shows how far the women’s game has come. With growing support and investment, the 2025 edition has set the stage for an even brighter future for women’s cricket globally.
Written by Kinjal Walantra