THE Indian team unveiled their victory song after lifting the Women’s ODI World Cup trophy in Navi Mumbai on Sunday night after defeating South Africa by 52 runs at the DY Patil Stadium. India beat South Africa by 52 runs to win the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Sunday, claiming their first-ever World Cup crown. “We decided this four years back that we will only reveal the team song when we win the World Cup, and tonight’s the night,” said Jemimah Rodrigues in a video shared by the BCCI, where her teammates joined her in singing the song out loud.

 

“Team India, Team India, karde sabki hawa tight, team India is here to fight, koi na lega humko light, oooooooo, our future is bright….. saath me challenge, saath me uthenge, hum hain team India hum saath me jeetenge. “Naa lega koi panga, kar denge hum danga, rahega sabse upar, humara tiranga. Hum hain team India, clap clap clap, Hum hain team India, clap clap clap, Hum hain team Indiaaaaaaa,” sang the players, coaches and members of the support staff in synchronisation. Chasing 299, South Africa seemed well placed at one point, but a breakthrough by Deepti Sharma caused a dramatic collapse. After she dismissed Annerie Dercksen, the Proteas dropped from 209 for 5 to 246 all-out, allowing India to secure the title. Captain Laura Wolvaardt (101) led from the front with a brilliant century but received little support as wickets fell around her.

 

Deepti proved to be India’s hero with the ball, taking an excellent 5 for 39, while Shafali and Sree Charani contributed vital wickets to secure a historic victory for India. The victory wasn’t just special for captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who was one of five players at the tournament to be appearing at their fifth World Cup. Legends of the game - Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami, who dedicated their entire illustrious careers, joined the current team on the field after the match to join in the celebrations in front of a parochial crowd of almost 40,000 people in Navi Mumbai. Captain Harmanpreet and her deputy Smriti Mandhana, showed the legendary duo the respect they deserved by handing them the trophy during the team’s celebrations, as the whole contingent shed tears of joy.

 

 

THE BCCI on Monday announced a cash award of Rs 51 crore for the Harmanpreet Kaur-led squad and its support staff for winning the country’s maiden ICC World Cup title. “As a token of appreciation, the BCCI will reward the Indian women’s cricket team with a cash award of Rs 51 crore for winning the World Cup. It includes all the players, support staff and the national selection committee,” Saikia told PTI. To honour this unprecedented success, the BCCI has announced a cash reward of Rs 51 crore for the players, support staff and selection committee, in recognition of their remarkable performance, dedication and contribution to the nation’s sporting glory, the Board later said in a statement. The BCCI also highlighted the “pivotal role” of Jay Shah, who served as the Board secretary and during his tenure at the BCCI, Shah championed significant initiatives for women’s cricket. accelerating the expansion of domestic structures, launching elite-level competitions and ensuring improved infrastructure, the Board said in the statement. Under his leadership, the ICC announced a landmark increase in prize-money for the Women’s World Cup, signalling that women cricketers will be treated on par with their male peers.