The International Cricket Council has now officially confirmed that the next Women's ODI World Cup, to take place in 2029, will feature ten teams in what is an important step in the global growth of women's cricket. This decision is after the incredible success of the 2025 edition which witnessed record attendance, record viewership and record interest on a global scale, making it one of the most successful tournaments in the history of Women's Cricket.

The ICC had first announced its intention to expand the women’s game back in 2021 on International Women’s Day, outlining a roadmap to provide more competitive opportunities for emerging nations. Since 2000, only eight teams have featured in the main draw of the Women’s ODI World Cup. The Women's ODI World Cup since 2000 featured only eight teams, while the revised format now accommodates ten nations, thereby opening ways for more teams to participate at the highest level in world cricket.

The forthcoming 2029 Women's ODI World Cup will also comprise more matches than ever, from 31 in its previous edition to 48. The ICC also announced that the Women’s T20 World Cup, which will take place next year, will expand from 10 to 12 teams. This decision continues the ICC’s efforts to strengthen women’s cricket and reach a wider global audience.

"Nearly 300,000 fans watched the event in stadia breaking the record for tournament attendance for any women's Cricket event. The tournament also witnessed viewership growth and new records being set for on-screen audiences across the world with nearly 500 million viewers in India,” the ICC release said as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

ICC Introduces New Members and Focuses on Digital Future

The ICC Board has also appointed several new members to the ICC Women’s Cricket Committee. The new members include Ashley De Silva, Mithali Raj, Amol Muzumdar, Ben Sawyer, Charlotte Edwards, and Sala Stella Siale-Vaea. The aim is to bring a wider range of expertise and representation to help guide the continued growth of women’s cricket globally.

In another major decision, the ICC confirmed that it will start a bidding process for an official mobile cricket game. The project has been under discussion for a while and has caused some disagreement with the World Cricketers’ Association (WCA). The new tender process aims to make the development of the game more transparent and organized.

See Also: ICC to set up special panel over BCCI’s Asia Cup 2025 trophy dispute with Mohsin Naqvi: Report

"The ICC Board confirmed its approval to issue an Invitation to Tender (ITT) for Video Gaming Rights, opening the door for leading global partners to collaborate with the ICC in delivering world-class, digital fan experiences," the board said in the statement.

However, this project has led to a dispute between the ICC and the WCA over Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rights. The WCA claims that using real players in the mobile game without permission would break existing agreements, as it already holds NIL rights for about 600 players. Earlier this year, the ICC ruled that each national board must handle NIL rights directly with its players instead of through the WCA.

While progress has been slow, reports suggest that around half of the ICC’s Full Member nations have reached preliminary agreements. The ICC hopes that this digital initiative will not only boost fan engagement but also open new opportunities for the game’s growth ahead of the 2029 Women’s ODI World Cup.

Indian cricket fans are still relishing the historic moment of India's Women's World Cup 2025 win, defeating South Africa Women's in the final match of the tournament. Cricket fans congratulated the entire team for achieving the incredible feat. Did Dhanashree Verma watch the IND-W vs. SA-W Women's World Cup Final match? Paparazzi asked the question to the well-known choreographer and actress of the industry. 

In reply, what Dhanashree said was probably not what anyone was expecting. Correcting the question, she said, "Kal nahin, parso tha (Not yesterday, it was the day before)." The reply from Varma was in a funny way, though. 

During the historic moment when Team India outclassed South Africa in Navi Mumbai, Varma shared a post on her Instagram handle to celebrate India's victory in the final. She posted a video of the winning moment while watching the game. The caption of her post reads, "To the queens, womennnnnnnnnn #India ICC world champions #WomenInBlue," she captioned the post.

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by F I L M Y G Y A N (@filmygyan)

Read More: Happy Birthday Virat Kohli: All players who wish the legend on his 37th birthday

India's road to lift the Women's World Cup 2025 trophy in brief: 

India began their campaign with back-to-back wins in the group stage. But after getting victories against Sri Lanka and Pakistan, the Women in Blue brigade lost their momentum and tasted three consecutive defeats against South Africa, Australia, and England. They then bounced back with a crucial 53-run win against New Zealand and confirmed a ticket to the semi-final.

In the semi, Harmanpreet Kaur and her team met again with Australia. Australia, batting first, posted a massive total of 338 on the board. In reply, Jemimah Rodrigues smashed a match-winning, unbeaten hundred-plus-run innings to chase down the target. Kaur also accompanied her well during the middle overs of the game. In the final, India with ease defeated South Africa and claimed their maiden World Cup trophy. 

The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced the combined Playing XI with a standby cricketer after the conclusion of the Women's World Cup 2025. From the two finalists—the India Women's cricket team and the South Africa Women's cricket team—the ICC picked up a total of 6 players for the best eleven.

From India, it is Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Deepti Sharma who are named for the specially mentioned playing combination. While from the runner-up team, Laura Wolvaardt, Marizanne Kapp, and Nadine de Klerk are able to make the final cut. Wolvaardt, the skipper of South Africa's women's team, was also named as the skipper for the best team of the 2025 World Cup. Annabel Sutherland, Ash Gardner, and leg-spinner Alana King feature from the Australian team that reached the semi-finals.

From the England cricket team, Sophie Ecclestone is in the team, and her compatriot Nat Sciver-Brunt is named as the 12th player. For the wicketkeeping role, Pakistan's Sidra Nawaz was named in a side. Surprisingly, team India captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who led the team to the glory, is not mentioned in the honorary team. 

Read More: World Cup Winner Set to strengthen RCB’s coaching staff for WPL 2026

Deepti Sharma emerged as India’s most valuable player and also the player of the tournament. In the tournament, she secured 215 runs, including a century, and claimed a total of 22 wickets at an average of 20.40. That match-winning unbeaten century from Jemimah Rodrigues in the semifinal against Australia was an unforgettable moment for Indian cricket. The Indian middle order scored 292 runs at an average of 58.40. And Smriti Mandhana, one of the most constant run scorers for the team in the tournament, notched up 434 runs at an average of 54.25, including a century and two fifties. 

The ICC Women’s World Cup Team of the Tournament: 

Smriti Mandhana (India), Laura Wolvaardt (c) (South Africa), Jemimah Rodrigues (India), Marizanne Kapp (South Africa), Ash Gardner (Australia), Deepti Sharma (India), Annabel Sutherland (Australia), Nadine de Klerk (South Africa), Sidra Nawaz (wk) (Pakistan), Alana King (Australia), Sophie Ecclestone (England), Nat Sciver-Brunt (England). 

The Women's World Cup 2025 triumph is not only a result of the collective effort from the present team India players but also a reflection of the contributions made by the legends of the game. Without the dedication, perseverance, and resilience from some of the former India women's cricketers, Team India could not have won the World Cup in 2025. Behind the historic feats, there are multiple creators who dared to dream big. Through this article, we will try to find out 5 legends of Indian women's cricket, without whom the current scenario could be different. 

Diana Edulji: 

When cricket was limited for girls across the nation, Diana Edulji was the person who inspired the girls to take part in the game. From a young cricketer to becoming a part of the cricket administration, her journey is no less than an epic. She was known for her fierce spin bowling abilities and played for India from 1976 to 1993, a career of three long decades. The slow left-arm orthodox appeared in 20 Test matches and 34 One Day Internationals for India. In the longest format of the game, she amassed 404 runs and claimed 63 wickets at an impressive average of 25.77. And in ODIs, Edulji got 46 wickets, maintaining a remarkable bowling average of 16.84, and scored 2011 runs as well. It was her dream to see the Indian Women's Cricket Team with the World Cup in hand. Harmanpreet Kaur-led India made her dream true.

"I just have no words to explain. This is the proudest moment of my life. 50 years of my being on the cricket field as a player and an administrator. I am just absolutely thrilled… that star on the jersey, it’s now come true, and it’s a proud moment for me," the stalwart said. 

Neetu David:

Inspired by Diana Edulji, Neetu David dared to dream as a cricketer at the highest level of the game. The former India spinner, who is now the BCCI women’s selection committee chairperson, was a key figure behind India's 2005 World Cup run to the final, where they ended their campaign as the second-best team of the tournament. David was the highest wicket-taker in the 2005 Women’s World Cup with 20 wickets. Apart from the World Cup record, another feat of Edulji, to date, remains unmatched. She holds the best bowling figures in women’s Tests with 8/53 against England.

Read More: WATCH: Only Rs 1000 per match! Mithali Raj shocking revelation after World Cup 2025 Final

Anjum Chopra:

Like Neetu David, Anjum Chopra was also an integral part of the 2005 World Cup team India. She was the first Indian women's cricketer to play 100 ODIs. Throughout her illustrious career, the former batter featured in 127 ODIs, 12 Tests, 18 T20s, and 4 World Cups. For exceptional batting qualities and dedication to the game, Chopra was honored with the Arjuna Award (2007) and Padma Shri (2014) and also received the ICC Player of the Match title thrice. After retiring from professional cricket, she emerged as one of the most influential characters in Indian women's cricket. 

Mithali Raj:

The former India captain, under whose leadership stars of the present team like Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, and Deepti Sharma cemented their positions in the international cricket arena. Raj led Team India in multiple World Cups but was not fortunate enough to claim the title. Mithali Raj, probably the first superstar of Indian women's cricket, represented India 333 times across formats to score 10,868 runs. 

Jhulan Goswami: 

The legendary figure of Indian cricket inspired multiple generations through his unmatched pace bowling skills and leadership skills. The Padma Shri awardee was the first ever Indian woman to take 200 wickets in ODIs. Goswami played over 200 ODIs and more than 70 Test matches for India. She was honored with the ICC Women’s Player of the Year award in 2007.

The India Women's cricket team receives crores of rupees as prize money from both the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for winning the World Cup 2025, defeating the South Africa Women's team in the final of the tournament. As the winner, Team India received approx. Rs 39.55 crore from ICC, in addition to another huge amount of money from BCCI.

In a press release, BCCI informed, "To honor this unprecedented success, the BCCI has announced a cash reward of INR 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."

Now, from the game, men or women, any cricketer can fetch a handsome amount of money. But the situation was not the same two decades ago. In a recent interview, former India skipper Mithali Raj made some shocking comments. She claimed that, during the 2005 World Cup, when the India Women's team became the runners-up, they received only Rs 1,000 per match. As they played 8 matches in the tournament, they got only Rs 8,000.

Read More: IPL 2026: KL Rahul to KKR trade deal unlikely to happen — Know why

Mithali Raj made shocking revelation when they played the 2005 World Cup

It was a shocking revelation; no one could imagine that massive gap between the two decades in Indian women's cricket. "When we became runners-up of the 2005 Women’s World Cup, we got just ₹8,000 for the entire tournament, ₹1,000 per match," Mithali Raj said.  

Mithali Raj: “When we became runners up of the 2005 Women’s World Cup we got just ₹8,000 for the entire tournament ₹1,000 per match.”

These women cricketers have struggled a lot man. Thanks to Jay Shah because of him, women cricketers now get equal pay to men. pic.twitter.com/GuPnTBDW2w

— ADITYA (@Wxtreme10) November 3, 2025

In the final of the Women's World Cup 2005, India was up against Australia; Mithali Raj was then the captain. It was a low-scoring match. The Australia Women's team went to bat first in the first innings and scored only 215 runs in exchange for 4 wickets. India faced a batting disaster when they went to chase the target. They managed to score only 117 runs before losing all of their scalps; the Australia Women's team lifted the World Cup 2005 trophy.

From a promising, uncapped cricketer to lifting the World Cup as the head coach, Amol Muzumdar's career was full of uncertainty. During a live conversation with W. V. Raman, Muzumdar reveals how he reformed his thinking, working method, and all to become successful in his career. 

It was a live chat conversation between W. V. Raman, another big name in the Indian cricket coaching sector, and Amol Muzumdar, under whose coaching the India Women's cricket team won the ICC Women's World Cup 2025, defeating the South Africa Women's cricket team. The World Cup-winning head coach, during the live interaction, without any hesitation acknowledged that it was Raman who helped him to shape his career. 

Raman himself shared the part of the video where the viewers can hear Muzumdar mentioning an old conversation between them. From that conversation with W. V. Raman, Muzumdar explored a new way of thought process as a coach, which ultimately resulted in winning the World Cup with the India Women's cricket team. 

Read More: India Women’s Cricket Team likely to meet PM Modi after historic World Cup 2025 victory: Reports

Amol Muzumdar highlights the turning point of his career 

"A conversation with Amol Muzumdar at the NCA a few years ago resulted in a few changes. I am glad I initiated that chat. Couldn't be happier for the latest WC-winning coach. Another chance for you "Muzum" next summer in England," the caption of the video, shared by W V Raman, reads. 

A conversation with @amolmuzumdar11 at the NCA a few years ago resulted in a few changes. I am glad I initiated that chat.
Couldn't be happier for the latest WC winning coach. Another chance for you "Muzum" 😀😀 next summer in England.
Click on the link 👇to listen to it. pic.twitter.com/7zMLzZHT9v

— WV Raman (@wvraman) November 3, 2025

Amol Muzumdar, in his early days on the cricket field, used to be a top-class batter. In his debut Ranji Trophy match, he scored a double hundred. Apart from Mumbai, he was associated with multiple other states in domestic cricket. Despite performing well with the bat, he never got the opportunity to play for Team India. It was the time when players like Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, and Virendra Sehwag had already made their place permanent in Team India. After retiring from his career as a professional cricketer, Muzumdar relaunched his career as a coach and gained success gradually. Now, his name is encrypted in the pages of the history book. 

It was the night where joy found no hurdle. Years of piled-up emotion were oozing out from every Indian cricket fan present at the Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai.

India Women's team skipper Harmanpreet Kaur was at the center of the spotlight. She made her name permanent in the pages of the record book. For the entire nation, Harmanpreet is the captain, but for her parents, she is a daughter. After the match, Team India was celebrating the moment. Harmanpreet went straight to his father, Harmander Singh Bhullar, who was waiting for his daughter. In between the crazy crowd, when all the camera lenses were on Harmanpreet, she hugged his father.

Harmander, out of joy, lifted Kaur like a small child. An adorable moment between a father and daughter. Like Kaur, his father was also then on the seventh heaven, living one of the best moments of his life. Through the video, attached in the article below, readers can see the auspicious moment. 

Read More: Women's World Cup 2025 Prize Money Distribution: List of all teams and amount they receive

Harmanpreet Kaur's father lifts her like a small child

The way Harmanpreet Kaur’s father lifted her up and hugged her.🥹❤️

The proudest father.🤍 pic.twitter.com/6lRwF24Ycu

— 𝐑𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐢𝐢⁴⁵ (@rushiii_12) November 3, 2025

Harmanpreet Kaur's father, Harmander Singh Bhullar, was a former sportsman and later worked as a clerk at a local judicial court. He is one of the main reasons Kaur grew up and became one of the most successful cricketers in Indian cricket. During the semi-final of the ICC Women's World Cup 2025, when India faced a stiff challenge from the Australia women's team, Kaur played an important knock. 

She missed a century by only a few runs and provided the much-needed support to Jemimah Rodrigues, whose unbeaten hundred-plus-run innings ensured India's win and confirmed the ticket to the final. After that, the rest is history—India won the World Cup. 

The International Cricket Council (ICC) had set a whopping amount of prize money for the winner of the Women's World Cup 2025. Team India, the winner of the tournament, received a huge paycheck as the best team of the tournament. As the winner of the World Cup, they won prize money of USD 4.48 million (approximately Rs 39.55 crore).

The South Africa Women's team, the second-best team of the contest, also claimed a handsome amount of money. Apart from the finalists of the WC 2025, six other teams, who were also a part of the competition, also received a fair amount of money. While India emerged as the winner of the prestigious tournament, Pakistan's women's team concluded their campaign in the bottommost position.

Despite their poor run, Pakistan cricket team also bagged a good amount of money for participating in the tournament. All the eight teams got prize money according to their performances in the points table. 

Read More: IPL 2026 Retentions: Massive updates on KL Rahul, Washington Sundar, and Sanju Samson's future

Women's World Cup 2025 full prize money breakdown:

• Champions (India)—USD 4.48 million (approximately Rs 39.55 crore)
• Runners-up (South Africa) – USD 2.24 million (approximately Rs 19.77 crore)
• Losing semifinalists (Australia and England)—USD 1.12 million each (approximately Rs 9.89 crore)
• Group-stage wins—USD 34,314 (approximately Rs 30.29 lakh) per match
• 5th–6th place finishers – USD 700,000 (approximately Rs 62 lakh)
• 7th–8th place finishers – USD 280,000 (approximately Rs 24.71 lakh)
• Guaranteed participation payout—USD 250,000 (approximately Rs 22 lakh) per team

List of the teams in Women's World Cup 2025 and the amount they received:

Only a few Indian captains have the fortune to win the ICC World Cup. Harmanpreet Kaur is one of them. The Indian women's cricket team won the title after defeating the South African women's cricket team. During the group stage, when India was struggling to maintain their momentum, losing multiple matches, Kaur had to face a lot of criticism. But she remained firm on her duties, and her team remained strong with their skipper as well. As a result, the glory moment was winning the ICC ODI World Cup 2025. 

After years of hard work, Kaur deserves to be in the seventh sky. Throughout her cricketing career at the highest level, she emerged as one of the richest woman cricketers in the nation. But how rich is Kaur actually? What is her net worth? Through this article, we will try to find some more personal details of the skipper after achieving the historic feat.