In a proud moment for Madhya Pradesh, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announced a cash reward of Rs 1 crore for young pacer Kranti Gaud, who was part of India’s historic ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 winning squad.
“I want to congratulate everyone for the way the daughter of our state and the daughters of the country performed brilliantly in cricket last night,” said the Chief Minister while addressing reporters.
“Madhya Pradesh’s daughter Kranti Gaud was also part of the women’s World Cup-winning team. I want to congratulate Kranti and give her an incentive of Rs 1 crore from the state government. I announce to give Rs one crore to Kranti, the daughter of Chattarpur.” The 22-year-old right-arm pacer from Chhindwara played a vital supporting role through India’s title-winning journey, finishing with 9 wickets in 8 innings at an average of 40.11 and an economy of 5.73.
Kranti Gaud’s campaign reflected both promise and composure in her maiden global event. Her standout spell came against Pakistan on 5 October 2025 at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, when she dismantled the top order with a fiery 10-over burst (10-3-20-3), she also scored 8 runs with the bat, earning the Player of the Match award. She later delivered another crucial performance in Navi Mumbai against New Zealand on 23 October 2025, returning figures of (9-0-48-2) in a must-win game that secured India’s semi-final qualification.
Although she went wicketless in the final against South Africa, her consistency across phases added strategic depth to India’s bowling attack. Since her international debut earlier in 2025 against Sri Lanka, Gaud has quickly emerged as one of India’s promising seam talents, scalping 23 wickets in 15 innings, including a match-winning six-wicket haul (9.5-1-52-6) against England at Chester-le-Street in July.
Harmanpreet Kaur’s India scripted one of the greatest moments in Indian cricket on 2 November 2025, defeating South Africa by 52 runs at the DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai, to capture their maiden ICC Women’s ODI World Cup crown.
In a high-octane finale, India’s total of 298/7 was powered by Shafali Verma’s explosive 87 and Deepti Sharma’s composed 58, setting up the platform for a clinical bowling performance. Deepti Sharma’s five-wicket haul (9.3-0-39-5) sealed the historic triumph, as South Africa, led by Laura Wolvaardt, folded for 246 despite the skipper’s fighting century (101 off 98 balls).
Shafali Verma was named Player of the Match for her all-round brilliance, while Deepti Sharma earned the Player of the Tournament award for leading the bowling charts with 22 wickets. The triumph not only ended India’s long wait for an ICC title but also etched a new chapter in women’s cricket, marking the nation’s first-ever ODI World Cup title at home.
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