As the Indian women’s cricket team prepares for a historic clash against South Africa in the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 final, a massive question looms: Will they get the same ₹125 crore reward as Rohit Sharma’s men?
India’s Women on the Brink of History
For the first time ever, India and South Africa will battle it out for the coveted ODI World Cup trophy. A win wouldn’t just be a maiden title for the Indian women; it could also unlock a financial windfall that signals a true new era for the sport in the country.
The Men’s Benchmark: A Whopping ₹125 Crore
After their triumphant, unbeaten campaign in the 2024 T20 World Cup, the BCCI announced a staggering cash reward of ₹125 crore for the entire men’s squad and support staff . This massive sum, which translates to roughly $15 million, set a new benchmark for national team rewards in India .
BCCI’s Equal Pay Promise
In a landmark move back in October 2022, the BCCI implemented a pay equity policy, ensuring that women cricketers receive the same match fees as their male counterparts across all formats: ₹15 lakh for a Test, ₹6 lakh for an ODI, and ₹3 lakh for a T20I [[10], [11]]. This was a huge step towards gender parity in Indian cricket.
The Big Question: Will the World Cup Bonus Be Equal?
The match fee parity was a crucial first step, but the real test of the BCCI’s commitment lies in tournament bonuses. Multiple reports suggest that the board is actively considering matching the men’s ₹125 crore reward if the women’s team lifts the trophy in 2025 [[14], [15], [27]].
“The BCCI supports equal pay for men and women and hence there are a lot of discussions that if our girls win the World Cup, the reward won’t be any less,” a source close to the board was quoted as saying .
ICC’s Record Prize Pool vs. BCCI’s Potential Bonus
It’s important to distinguish between the ICC’s prize money and the BCCI’s additional bonus. The ICC has already announced a record-breaking total prize pool of $13.88 million for the 2025 tournament, a 297% increase from 2022 [[21], [25]]. The winners are expected to receive around $4.48 million, which is approximately ₹40 crore [[22], [24]].
However, the BCCI’s potential ₹125 crore bonus would be an additional reward on top of this, mirroring the extra incentive given to the men’s team. This would make the total potential earnings for the women’s team truly historic.
Prize Money Breakdown: Men vs. Women (Potential)
| Team | ICC Prize Money | BCCI Bonus (Announced/Potential) | Total Potential Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Men (T20 WC 2024) | ~₹50 crore (est.) | ₹125 crore | ~₹175 crore |
| Women (ODI WC 2025 – Potential) | ~₹40 crore | ₹125 crore (under discussion) | ~₹165 crore |
Why This Matters Beyond the Money
A ₹125 crore bonus for the women’s team would be more than just a financial reward; it would be a powerful statement. It would demonstrate that the BCCI values a World Cup win by the women as highly as one by the men, cementing its commitment to genuine equality in the sport. This move could inspire a whole new generation of young girls to take up cricket, knowing their achievements will be celebrated and rewarded equally.
Sources
- Original Article – Times of India
- BCCI announcements on T20 World Cup 2024 prize money [[3], [6]]
- Reports on BCCI’s equal pay policy [[10], [11]]
- ICC’s official announcement on Women’s World Cup 2025 prize pool [[21], [25]]