The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), through Secretary Devajit Saikia, has announced a cash reward of ₹51 crore for the entire Indian Women’s Cricket Team following their historic victory at the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025.
However, this announcement has reignited discussions about gender disparity in sports rewards, as the amount is less than half of the ₹125 crore that the men’s team received after winning the ICC T20 World Cup 2024.
Women’s Team Reward Draws Comparison to Men’s 2024 Bonus
While the ₹51 crore reward is a significant acknowledgment of the women’s team’s achievement, it pales in comparison to the men’s 2024 bonus. The men’s squad had been awarded ₹125 crore solely from the BCCI, highlighting the gap in financial recognition between the two teams’ accomplishments.
This difference comes despite growing global attention and progress in promoting women’s cricket.
Devajit Saikia Highlights BCCI’s Efforts to Boost Women’s Cricket
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia emphasized the board’s commitment to uplifting the women’s game in India, stating:
“Earlier, the prize money was $2.88 million, and now it has been increased to $14 million. All these steps have greatly promoted women’s cricket. The BCCI has also announced a reward prize of ₹51 crore for the entire team — players, coaches, and support staff,” Saikia told ANI.
Saikia’s remarks suggest that the board recognizes the growing popularity and impact of women’s cricket, but many believe equal recognition in financial terms remains a work in progress.
ICC Prize Money Adds to the Women’s Team’s Earnings
In addition to the BCCI’s reward, the International Cricket Council (ICC) will also provide prize money to the Indian Women’s Cricket Team for their World Cup victory.
The ICC payout is estimated to be around ₹39 crore, which means the total reward for the team could reach nearly ₹90 crore when combined with the BCCI’s ₹51 crore contribution.
Still, this combined total remains below the ₹125 crore that the BCCI alone distributed to the men’s team in 2024.
Context: Comparing Past and Present Rewards
For context, when the men’s team won the ICC T20 World Cup in 2024, the BCCI reportedly awarded ₹2 crore to each of the 15 squad members, along with additional payouts to the coaching and support staff.
The total figure reached ₹125 crore, demonstrating a dramatic increase from previous years — and a sharp contrast to the ₹51 crore for the women’s team.
Interestingly, in earlier tournaments more than a decade ago, the BCCI’s total reward for the men’s team had been around ₹39 crore, which is only ₹12 crore less than what the women’s team is receiving today — a sign of progress, but also of how far the sport still has to go in achieving parity.
Growing Demand for Equal Recognition
While the Indian Women’s Cricket Team’s 2025 World Cup victory has brought immense pride to the nation, the disparity in rewards continues to spark conversations among fans and experts alike.
Many are calling for the BCCI to match the enthusiasm and investment it shows toward men’s cricket when rewarding its women’s champions — both as a matter of fairness and to encourage the next generation of female cricketers.
In summary, the women’s team’s combined earnings from BCCI and ICC — roughly ₹90 crore — mark a significant milestone for Indian women’s cricket. Yet, when compared to the ₹125 crore awarded to the men’s side in 2024, it also underscores the ongoing gap in sports equality within Indian cricket.
