JOIN USThe Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced a cash prize of Rs 50 lakh for each member of the women's team which will face England at Lord's on Sunday in the final of ICC Women’s World Cup 2017.
The support staff will receive Rs 25 lakh each.Committee of Administrators (CoA) chief Vinod Rai said: "I would like to congratulate the Indian women's cricket team for their exemplary show in the World Cup. The team has shown tremendous character and the girls have raised the bar with each passing game under the able leadership of Mithali Raj.
“The Women's World Cup has been widely followed across India and this team's spirit and performance on the field has won admirers all over the world. I am sure this team has inspired the next generation of cricketers and many more girls will take up the sport in the years to come."
Rai had even written to the women's team following their sensational win over Australia in the semifinals.
Edulji thrilled
Former cricketer and CoA member Daina Edulji was thrilled with the performance of the Indian women. “Our first target was to reach the semifinals, keeping in mind there were 4-5 teams who were in the reckoning. We lost two games in the league stage, the defeat against South Africa especially shook the girls. But then it also motivated them and changed the complexion of the side. ,” said Nobody would have given them a chance after their eight-wicket defeat to Australia, but the way they played took everyone by surprise,” Edulji said.
Edulji hailed Harmanpreet Kaur's unbeaten 115-ball 171 as the best innings by a woman cricketer. “It was the best innings I have seen. The speciality of this side is that it is not dependant on one player. Smriti (Mandhana), Deepti (Sharma) and then Harmanpreet stepped up in crucial matches for India. Importantly, it has allowed Mithali (Raj) to play freely. Mithali has stood like a pillar for the team. It would be magnificent if these girls return with the trophy. I believe they can,” she said.