In a proud moment for Indian cricket, the Maharashtra government has announced a cash reward of ₹2.25 crore each for Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Radha Yadav, the three cricketers from the state who played vital roles in India’s historic triumph at the 13th ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025.
The government has also declared a ₹22.5 lakh cash prize for head coach Amol Muzumdar, acknowledging his instrumental role in guiding India to their maiden ICC title at the senior level in women’s cricket.
The Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, along with Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, met on November 4 to pass the resolution that congratulated the Indian women’s team for its unprecedented achievement. The Chief Minister praised the Maharashtra contingent for their contribution to India’s success, promising an official felicitation ceremony in Mumbai soon.
“Smriti, Jemimah, and Radha have not only brought glory to Maharashtra but have made India proud on the global stage,” said Fadnavis, adding that the entire team will be felicitated in Mumbai following their meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi.
Under the state’s current sports policy, athletes who clinch global titles such as a World Cup or World Championship receive a prize of ₹2.25 crore, while their coaches are honoured with ₹22.5 lakh, a structure now shared by India’s newest sporting icons.
The announcement comes fresh on the heels of India’s landmark victory over South Africa in the final at Navi Mumbai’s DY Patil Stadium, where Harmanpreet Kaur became the first Indian captain to lift an ICC trophy at the senior level. India’s comprehensive 52-run win on November 2 capped a campaign defined by consistency, depth, and historic performances.
Smriti Mandhana finished as India’s leading run-scorer and second overall in the tournament, amassing 434 runs at an average of 54.25 and a strike rate of 99.08. Her tally included two half-centuries and a crucial century that shaped India’s group-stage fortunes. Jemimah Rodrigues, maintaining her flair and composure in the middle order, followed with 292 runs in 7 innings at a strike rate of 101.03 and an average of 58.40, with both a century and a half-century to her name.
Radha Yadav’s contribution, though limited by appearances, remained impactful in key phases, claiming four wickets across three innings at an economy rate of 7.42. The coach, Amol Muzumdar, whose tactical acumen and calm leadership helped knit the squad’s balance, now joins the ranks of distinguished mentors in Indian cricket history.
India’s World Cup campaign, spanning from September 30 to November 2 across India and Sri Lanka, culminated in an emotional finale highlighted by Shafali Verma’s explosive 87 off 78 and Deepti Sharma’s composed 58 off 58, contributions that set up a defendable total. Deepti further turned the tide with her accurate spell, earning her the Player of the Tournament award.
The celebrations at DY Patil saw emotional scenes as India’s current champions were joined by legends Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami, symbolising the generational bridge of Indian women’s cricket. The triumph, backed by state and national recognition, marks not just a victory for Harmanpreet Kaur’s team but a defining chapter in India’s sporting narrative.
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