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A Billion Dreams Fulfilled: India Crowned Women's ODI World Champions! BCCI Announces Historic ₹51 Crore Prize
Summary: A billion dreams are true! India are the Women's ODI World Cup Champions for the first time. Harmanpreet Kaur's team ended years of heartbreak by defeating South Africa in a nail-biting final. All-round superstars Deepti Sharma (58* & 5/39) and Shafali Verma (87 & 2/36) were the heroes of the historic win. To honour the champions, the BCCI has announced a groundbreaking ₹51 crore cash reward for the entire team and support staff.
Mumbai - November 03, 2025: The wait is over. The heartbreaks of 2005 and 2017 are finally forgotten. India are World Champions!
In a final that will be remembered for generations, Harmanpreet Kaur's fearless team defeated a brilliant South African side to lift their first-ever ICC Women's World Cup trophy. It was a day of high-voltage cricket, nail-biting tension, and ultimately, tears of pure joy for a billion fans.
As celebrations began across the nation, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced a monumental reward for the victorious team.
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed a cash prize of ₹51 crores for the players, coaches, and all support staff.
He added, "Harmanpreet Kaur and her team have not just won the trophy today, they have won the hearts of all Indians. They have paved the way for the next generation of women cricketers."
Mr. Saikia highlighted the massive strides made in women's cricket, crediting initiatives like pay parity and the 300% increase in ICC prize money (from $2.88M to $14M) championed by former secretary Jay Shah (2019-2024), as key factors in this success.
India's 'Shafali-Deepti' Show with the Bat
After being put to bat first by South Africa, India needed a strong start, and their openers delivered. The explosive Shafali Verma and the elegant Smriti Mandhana laid a perfect foundation with a 104-run partnership.
While Mandhana fell for a well-made 45, Shafali was in a destructive mood. She smashed 87 runs off just 78 balls, looking set for a century before she was dismissed.
Following a solid stand with Jemimah Rodrigues (24), India looked set at 166/2. But the final flourish came from the team's ultimate finishers. Deepti Sharma (58*) and Richa Ghosh (34 off 24) provided a late surge, taking India to a massive total of 298/7.
Chasing 299, South Africa was not going to give up easily. Their captain, the unstoppable Laura Wolvaardt, was in sublime form. Fresh off a 169 in the semifinal, she played a masterful innings, giving India a massive scare.
At 148/5, Wolvaardt found a partner in Annerie Dercksen (37), and their 61-run stand started to build immense pressure. Wolvaardt brought up a stunning century (101 off 98 balls), and it felt like the game was slipping away.
But Deepti Sharma had other plans.
In a game-changing spell, Deepti removed both set batters, Wolvaardt and Dercksen, in quick succession. The Proteas collapsed from 221/5 to 221/8, and the trophy was in sight.
Deepti became the first Indian woman to take a four-fer in a World Cup final, and she didn't stop there, claiming a historic five-wicket haul (5/39) to bundle out South Africa for 246.
This victory is not just a trophy. It's a revolution.
Mumbai - November 03, 2025: The wait is over. The heartbreaks of 2005 and 2017 are finally forgotten. India are World Champions!
In a final that will be remembered for generations, Harmanpreet Kaur's fearless team defeated a brilliant South African side to lift their first-ever ICC Women's World Cup trophy. It was a day of high-voltage cricket, nail-biting tension, and ultimately, tears of pure joy for a billion fans.
Key Highlights of the Historic Final
- Result: India won by 52 runs to clinch their maiden World title.
- India's Score: 298/7 (50 Overs)
- South Africa's Score: 246/10 (47.2 Overs)
- Player of the Final: Shafali Verma(5/39)
- Player of the Series: Deepti Sharma(87)
- The Big Bonus: BCCI announces a massive ₹51 CRORE prize for the champions.
BCCI's ₹51 Crore Salute to the Champions
As celebrations began across the nation, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced a monumental reward for the victorious team.
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed a cash prize of ₹51 crores for the players, coaches, and all support staff.
"In 1983, Kapil Dev brought about a new era and encouragement in cricket by making India win the World Cup. The same excitement and encouragement has been introduced by the women today," Mr. Saikia told ANI.
He added, "Harmanpreet Kaur and her team have not just won the trophy today, they have won the hearts of all Indians. They have paved the way for the next generation of women cricketers."
Mr. Saikia highlighted the massive strides made in women's cricket, crediting initiatives like pay parity and the 300% increase in ICC prize money (from $2.88M to $14M) championed by former secretary Jay Shah (2019-2024), as key factors in this success.
How the Dream Final Unfolded
India's 'Shafali-Deepti' Show with the Bat
After being put to bat first by South Africa, India needed a strong start, and their openers delivered. The explosive Shafali Verma and the elegant Smriti Mandhana laid a perfect foundation with a 104-run partnership.
While Mandhana fell for a well-made 45, Shafali was in a destructive mood. She smashed 87 runs off just 78 balls, looking set for a century before she was dismissed.
Following a solid stand with Jemimah Rodrigues (24), India looked set at 166/2. But the final flourish came from the team's ultimate finishers. Deepti Sharma (58*) and Richa Ghosh (34 off 24) provided a late surge, taking India to a massive total of 298/7.
India's Top Scorers:
- Shafali Verma: 87 (78 balls, 7x4, 2x6)
- Deepti Sharma: 58* (58 balls, 3x4, 1x6)
- Smriti Mandhana: 45 (58 balls, 8x4)
- Richa Ghosh: 34 (24 balls, 3x4, 2x6)
Deepti's 'Fifer' Seals the Deal
Chasing 299, South Africa was not going to give up easily. Their captain, the unstoppable Laura Wolvaardt, was in sublime form. Fresh off a 169 in the semifinal, she played a masterful innings, giving India a massive scare.
At 148/5, Wolvaardt found a partner in Annerie Dercksen (37), and their 61-run stand started to build immense pressure. Wolvaardt brought up a stunning century (101 off 98 balls), and it felt like the game was slipping away.
But Deepti Sharma had other plans.
In a game-changing spell, Deepti removed both set batters, Wolvaardt and Dercksen, in quick succession. The Proteas collapsed from 221/5 to 221/8, and the trophy was in sight.
Deepti became the first Indian woman to take a four-fer in a World Cup final, and she didn't stop there, claiming a historic five-wicket haul (5/39) to bundle out South Africa for 246.
This victory is not just a trophy. It's a revolution.
Keywords: ICC Women's ODI World Cup 2025,India Women vs South Africa Women Final,BCCI ₹51 Crore Prize,Deepti Sharma 5 Wickets Final,Shafali Verma 87 runs,Laura Wolvaardt century,Harmanpreet Kaur captain,Indian Women Cricket Team Champions,Devajit Saikia BCCI Secretary,Women's Cricket Pay Parity
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