India’s landmark victory in the 13th edition of the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 has transformed the lives of Indian women cricketers, propelling them into an unprecedented era of recognition, rewards, and inspiration. Under the captaincy of Harmanpreet Kaur and the meticulous guidance of head coach Amol Muzumdar, India defeated South Africa by 52 runs in the final at the DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai.
This monumental triumph not only secured India’s first-ever ICC title at the senior level in women’s cricket but also ignited a wave of celebrations, accolades, and impactful changes for players, support staff, and the wider cricket community.
Historic Victory and National Recognition:
The tournament, held from 30th September to 2nd November 2025, was a showcase of talent, teamwork, and national pride. Harmanpreet Kaur became the first Indian captain to lift an ICC senior-level trophy on home soil, a moment made even more poignant when former legends Mithali Raj, Anjum Chopra, Jhulan Goswami, and many other former legends joined the celebrations, tears marking their tribute to the pioneers of Indian women’s cricket.
Post-victory, the Indian team and head coach Amol Muzumdar had the honour of meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Draupadi Murmu. Surat industrialist Govind Dholakia offered a unique reward: handcrafted natural diamond jewellery and rooftop solar panels for each player, symbolising gratitude for their inspiring journey. The ICC’s record prize pool awarded India an unprecedented USD 4.48 million as champions, eclipsing the total prize money of the previous 2022 World Cup. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) matched this with a lavish Rs 51 crore cash prize for the squad.
Stellar Contributions and Celebrations for Players
Harmanpreet Kaur:
The architect of India’s historic win was recognised widely beyond cricketing circles. Alongside meeting top national leaders, she was awarded the Champion of the World Award, a wax statue at Jaipur Wax Museum, and became the first female brand ambassador for Punjab National Bank. She also championed the Vedanta Pink City Half Marathon and promoted a majorly popular web series (Maharani) on Sony Liv and Rexona (Roll-on). On the field, she scored decisive runs, including a pivotal 89 off 88 balls in the semifinal, finishing as India’s fourth-highest run-scorer in the tournament.
Harmanpreet Kaur’s leadership extended beyond the field, as she featured prominently on the front page of Femina India’s Fab List 2025 and was felicitated by actor Rajkumar Rao alongside the Blind Women’s Cricket Team skipper Deepika TC at We the Women Asia. She inaugurated the Bhumi Poojan for Velammal Vidyalaya Adayalampattu Sports Stadium, a ₹4.5 crore facility featuring tennis and pickleball, and promoted the Sony Liv series Maharani on her Instagram, drawing parallels between her journey and the character Rani Bharti.
At the Indian of the Year Awards 2025, she received the Champion of the World award for leading India to the 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup title, three Women’s Asia Cup triumphs (2012, 2016, 2022), and a 2022 Asian Games gold. Omaxe Ltd appointed her as brand ambassador post-victory, while PCA’s Mullanpur Stadium plans to name stands after her. The Punjab government prepares a Rs 1.5 crore award for her, though no immediate police promotion is expected despite her Deputy Superintendent of Police role.
Smriti Mandhana:
She had a breakthrough year, becoming the first female cricketer in the ODI format to surpass 1,000 runs in a calendar year with a remarkable average of 61.90. She amassed 434 runs at the World Cup, playing a vital role in the team’s success. In recognition, she received cash awards totalling Rs 2.75 crore from Maharashtra’s cricket association and the government.
Jemimah Rodrigues:
She played a defining unbeaten century in the semifinal against Australia, cementing her role as India’s third-highest run-scorer in the tournament with 292 runs. Her post-victory endorsements doubled, and she garnered multiple high-profile deals. Maharashtra’s cabinet rewarded her with Rs 2.5 crore, and she received honorary membership at the Willingdon Catholic Gymkhana after a tumultuous episode the previous year. She has also been vocal and honest about her battles with managing her mental health and championing each one of them under pressure. She shared the spotlight with Shafali Verma in a special talk show, “Two Much with Kajol Devgan and Twinkle Khanna,” aired digitally on Amazon Prime Video.
Shafali Verma:
Despite a wildcard entry due to the injury-forced withdrawal of Pratika Rawal, she turned heads with an impactful performance in the final, scoring 87 runs and taking two wickets. Awarded Player of the Match, she received a ₹1.5 crore cash prize from Haryana and was made brand ambassador of Haryana State Women’s Commission.
Shafali Verma’s post-World Cup trajectory soared with high-profile media appearances, including the front cover of Vogue India magazine alongside Deepti Sharma, Pratika Rawal, and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur. She shared the spotlight with Jemimah Rodrigues in a special talk show, “Two Much with Kajol Devgan and Twinkle Khanna,” aired digitally on Amazon Prime Video. Alongside Renuka Singh Thakur, she made a long-awaited pilgrimage to the Vaishnoo Devi Mandir, and several teammates, including Verma, Deepti Sharma, Harmanpreet Kaur, Richa Ghosh, Harleen Deol, Sneh Rana, and head coach Amol Muzumdar, also featured in the upcoming episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC) on 5th December 2025 from 9 PM IST.
Her brand portfolio expanded impressively to over ₹1 crore, encompassing endorsements with Bank of Baroda, Google, Hyundai, Nike x NORBLACK NORWHITE, and Modern Heroine across banking, tech, automotive, and apparel sectors. Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini felicitated her at her residence with a cash reward, Grade A sports gradation certificate, and praise for her journey from Haryana to global glory, while the Haryana State Women’s Commission appointed her as its brand ambassador to promote women’s empowerment and inspire young athletes.
Deepti Sharma:
Named Player of the Tournament, excelled with both bat and ball, scoring 215 runs and taking 22 wickets in the World Cup. Her stellar performances brought her prestigious awards, including a Deputy Superintendent of Police role in Uttar Pradesh. She received widespread acclaim and endorsement deals.
Deepti Sharma’s homecoming to Agra was a spectacle of patriotism, featuring a grand felicitation at the Police Lines Auditorium by Police Commissioner Deepak Kumar, who honoured her with a shawl and memento alongside her family, and a floral rally on an open-roof bus where she waved the Indian flag. She met Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in police uniform, received commendations from Cabinet Minister Suresh Khanna, and was felicitated at the State Police Headquarters by DGP Rajeev Krishna with senior officers present.
Her endorsements flourished with Puma India campaigns alongside Harmanpreet Kaur and Richa Ghosh, promotions for Samson Galaxy M175G, and YesMadam spa services; she also played a friendly gully cricket match with young girls against boys. Featured individually and on Vogue India’s cover with Harmanpreet Kaur, Pratika Rawal, and Shafali Verma, Deepti is set to attend the ELPRO International School Sports Fest closing ceremony on 5th December 2025 and visited the Mahakal temple in Ujjain on 11th November 2025.
Sneh Rana:
Returning triumphantly to international cricket, was lauded with grand celebrations and promotions, including a ₹50 lakh reward from Uttarakhand and a railway job upgrade. She inspired youth with motivational talks about perseverance and dedication. Her engagements extended to leadership summits, podcasts, and disaster management summits, showcasing her multifaceted impact.
Sneh Rana’s return to Dehradun was a hero’s parade, with streets lined with flowers, bouquets, garlands, and her close ones carrying her on their shoulders, a jeep rally draped in the Indian flag. Graphic Era University hosted a grand welcome for the MBA student, where she addressed students on overcoming women’s cricket challenges in Uttarakhand, and the virtues of dedication and patience; she received ₹11 lakh from Prof. Kamal Ghanshala and Dr Rakhee Ghanshala, signed memorabilia, and inspired the youth.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced a Rs 50 lakh cash incentive while she joined Shafali Verma at the CNBC Global Leadership Summit, attended the OneDice Fan Meetup in Delhi on 20th November 2025, and featured on the podcast AleenaDissects. On November 30, 2025, she participated in the World Summit on Disaster Management and the 20th USSTC at Graphic Era. She visited Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga in Ujjain on December 2, 2025, to fulfil a World Cup vow, and received an out-of-turn promotion to Officer on Special Duty (Sports) from Indian Railways around December 1-2, 2025.
Renuka Singh Thakur:
Hailing from Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, Renuka Singh Thakur earned a Rs 1 crore reward from Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and promoted major brands. Indian Railways granted her an out-of-turn promotion, recognising her contributions to the World Cup victory.
Richa Ghosh:
She was honoured with the prestigious Banga Bhushan award, a Deputy Superintendent of Police position, and a ₹34 lakh cash reward. She took on policing duties and endorsement roles immediately after the tournament, reflecting her rising stature.
Richa Ghosh’s World Cup exploits included 235 runs at a strike rate of 133.52 and an average of 39.16 across 8 innings, featuring one half-century, with a crucial 34 off 24 balls in the final’s first innings to propel India near 300 against South Africa. Since her ODI debut on 21st September 2021 against Australia at Mackay, she has amassed 1,145 runs at a strike rate of 103.90 and an average of 29.35 in 49 innings, including 7 half-centuries over 51 matches.
At a grand Eden Gardens felicitation, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee personally handed her the Banga Bhushan medal, a golden bat and ball, and announced a stadium in her honour in Siliguri to boost North Bengal cricket; on December 4, 2025, she assumed duties as ACP Siliguri, receiving her uniform from West Bengal Police Director General Rajiv Kumar amid fan celebrations. She also signed on to promote Gharsoaps’ skin brightening magic soap, and alongside Shafali Verma, Deepti Sharma, Harmanpreet Kaur, Harleen Deol, Sneh Rana, and head coach Amol Muzumdar, featured in the Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC) episode on 5th December 2025 from 9 PM IST.
Harleen Deol:
Deol received a ₹1.5 crore cash award from Punjab, a government job offer, and brand endorsements, completing her hero’s welcome in Chandigarh.
Deol’s hero’s welcome unfolded at Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport, Mohali (near Chandigarh) on November 7, where Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema and MP Meet Hayer escorted her with a cavalcade, underscoring her elevated status post-World Cup. Her endorsement portfolio expanded rapidly, with LakmeIndia signing her for a cosmetic skincare ad and YesMadam, an expert spa service provider, naming her as brand ambassador.
Uma Chetry:
Uma Chetry, Assam’s rising wicketkeeper-batter, received a substantial ₹51 lakh cash reward from the Assam Cricket Association (ACA), felicitated at a grand ceremony in the 91 Yards Club auditorium at ACA Stadium, Guwahati. The event drew BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia as the chief guest, alongside ACA President Taranga Gogoi, Vice President Romen Dutta, Joint Secretary Rajendra Singh, Treasurer Anupam Deka, Apex Council member Mukuta Nanada Bhattacharya, and various dignitaries, with affiliated district units and sports associations also honouring her.
The North Bank Tea Company added ₹5 lakh at a Naduar, Sonitpur district ceremony, where Sootea MLA Padma Hazarika personally handed over the cheque, accompanied by traditional Assamese gifts—a gamusa, xorai, and figurine of Bir Lachit Borphukan. Assam Minister of Sports and Youth Welfare Nandita Gorlosa felicitated her further; she had earlier won the Assam Saurav Award in March 2025 and a ₹25 lakh cash reward from the Assam Cabinet in November 2025. She also earned the Assam Saurav Award, along with traditional honours.
Head Coach: Amol Muzumdar:
Head coach Amol Muzumdar, a Maharashtrian himself, was honoured with ₹22.5 lakh and praised for orchestrating the team’s winning strategy. Along with the 11-member support staff, who each received ₹11 lakh rewards from the Maharashtra government, the backroom team’s efforts were front and centre.
Regional Pride and Individual Honours:
Andhra Pradesh bestowed Rs 2.5 crore, land, and government posts on young talent Shree Charani. Madhya Pradesh’s Kranti Gaud received Rs 1 crore and a police reinstatement promise for her father, highlighting cricket’s wider social impact.
Exceptional Post-Win Engagements:
The team received diverse gifts honouring their journey: Tata Motors gifted players the iconic Tata Sierra; fans from different states organised grand rallies and felicitations; players appearing on popular television programs like Kaun Banega Crorepati and Amazon Prime talk shows, extending their reach beyond sport.
India’s first ICC Women’s ODI World Cup title in 2025 has ushered in a new dawn for Indian women cricketers, rewarding excellence with fame, financial security, and societal respect. The historic win witnessed legendary moments on the field and off, uniting a nation behind its champions and inspiring a generation to dream bigger. With stellar individual performances, state-of-the-art support, and unprecedented institutional backing, the Indian women’s cricket team has rewritten the script of women’s sports in India and set a high benchmark for global excellence.
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