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How India’s 2025 World Cup Win Marks a Big Turning Point for Women’s Cricket
Nov. 5, 2025
India Women created history by winning their maiden ICC Women’s ODI World Cup in 2025 under the leadership of Harmanpreet Kaur. Their remarkable performance throughout the tournament showcased consistency, skill, and determination but the magnitude of this victory goes far beyond lifting a trophy. This was a win that changed the sport, the business, and the cultural landscape of women’s cricket forever.
“From empty stadiums to packed venues” , live stream viewership jumped from 1.2 crore to 16.3 crore.
Women’s cricket didn’t get attention , it commanded it.
The numbers were far higher than the 2022 edition. Australia received USD 1.32 million for winning in 2022, and semifinalists then earned USD 300,000. In 2025, the winners received more than three times that amount. The semifinalists also earned a higher share.
The total prize pool in 2025 touched USD 13.88 million, or about ₹123 crore. This is almost four times the previous edition and larger than the 2023 Men’s Cricket World Cup prize pool of USD 10 million.
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia linked this increase to investment and pay parity efforts, noting that ICC Chairman Jay Shah raised women’s prize money from USD 2.88 million to USD 14 million over recent years.
The Final Result That Changed Everything
On 2 November 2025, at DY Patil Stadium, India defeated South Africa by 52 runs to win their first-ever ICC Women’s ODI World Cup.- India: 298/7
- South Africa: 246 (45.3 overs)
- Result: India won by 52 runs
- Player of the Match: Shafali Verma (87)
- Player of the Tournament: Deepti Sharma (22 wickets)
The Record-Breaking Semifinal: The Turning Point
Australia scored 338. India chased it down with 341/5 in 48.3 overs, winning by 5 wickets with 9 balls remaining. This chase became:- The highest successful chase in Women’s ODI World Cup history
- A monumental moment in knockout cricket
- Proof of India’s temperament under pressure
ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 , Verified Viewership & Brand Growth Summary
The win marked a cultural inflection point for women’s cricket in IndiaRecord-Breaking Viewership
| Match / Metric | Verified Figure | Source Summary |
|---|---|---|
| Total viewers (first 13 matches) | Over 60 million | 5x increase from 2022 (ICC/JioHotstar) |
| Total watch time (first 13 matches) | 7 billion minutes | 12x increase from 2022 (ICC data) |
| India vs Pakistan (Oct 5) | 28.4 million viewers, 1.87 billion minutes watched | Most-watched women’s international cricket match ever |
| India vs Australia (Oct 12 SF) | 4.8 million peak concurrent viewers | All-time digital high for women’s cricket |
| TV reach (first 11 matches) | 72 million viewers | 166% higher than previous edition |
| Viewing minutes (first 11 matches) | 6.3 billion minutes | 327% increase |
| Final | 121M early overs, 135M mid-match, 190M total | Surpassed 2017 Women’s WC final (126M) |
| Ad rate increase for the final | +40% | Driven by record viewership |
| Stadium attendance (Ind vs SL) | 22,843 fans | Highest group-stage attendance |
| Final attendance | Full house | Players called atmosphere “unforgettable” |
Brand Endorsement & Commercial Growth
India’s win also changed the commercial side of women’s cricket. Advertisers and brands responded quickly, and spending around the tournament went up by almost 50 percent compared to the previous World Cup. The audience was large, and brands followed the numbers. Harmanpreet Kaur became one of the most visible athletes after the win.- New deal with Omaxe
- Existing partners: Puma, HDFC Life, CEAT, Boost, Asian Paints, Jaipur Rugs
- Red Bull, Hyundai, Gillette, Dream11, boAt
- Endorsement fees for top players grew between 25 and 100 percent
- Emerging players are expected to sign five to six brand deals
- Many of these deals fall in the ₹40–50 lakh range
- Overall brand value for key players increased by 20–30 percent
Prize Money: The Biggest in History
The financial outcome of the 2025 tournament was also significant. BCCI announced a reward of ₹51 crore for the players, coaches and support staff. From the ICC, India received USD 4.48 million, which is roughly ₹40 crore. Together, the team earned close to ₹91 crore, making it the highest payout ever recorded for women’s cricket. Prize distribution from the ICC was structured as follows:| Position | Prize Money (USD) | Approx. INR |
|---|---|---|
| Winners – India | 4.48 million | ~₹40 crore |
| Runner-up – South Africa | 2.24 million | ~₹20 crore |
The Bigger Global Picture
Commercial growth in women’s sports is not limited to cricket. A Forbes and Deloitte report from March 2025 shows a sharp rise in global revenue, driven by broadcast rights, sponsorship, ticketing and digital viewership. The market has scaled quickly in the last two years and continues to expand. Key figures from the report:- Projected global revenue in 2025: USD 2.35 billion
- Revenue in 2024: USD 1.88 billion
- Revenue in 2023: USD 981 million
- The market crossed the USD 1 billion mark for the first time in 2024
- Growth in two years has been close to double
Full List of India’s Matches , From Start to Finish
India’s campaign included warm-ups, a challenging league phase, and two knockout wins. The team did not dominate every match, but they delivered when it mattered most. Warm-ups in Bengaluru:- Lost to England (187 vs 340/9)
- Beat New Zealand (237/6 chasing 232/8, DLS)
- Beat Sri Lanka by 59 runs (DLS), Guwahati
- Beat Pakistan by 88 runs, Colombo
- Lost to South Africa by 3 wickets, Visakhapatnam
- Lost to Australia by 3 wickets, Visakhapatnam
- Lost to England by 4 runs, Indore
- Beat New Zealand by 53 runs (DLS), DY Patil
- No result vs Bangladesh, DY Patil
- Semi-final: Australia 338 vs India 341/5 in 48.3 overs, India won by 5 wickets
- Final: India 298/7 vs South Africa 246, India won by 52 runs
Why This Win Is a Huge Achievement
India’s title was not just another tournament result. It checked multiple firsts, broke long-standing barriers, and showed measurable proof that women’s cricket has scale and commercial strength. Key reasons this win stands out:- First-ever ICC Women’s ODI World Cup for India
- Beat Australia in the semifinal while chasing 341, the highest chase in Women’s World Cup history
- Ended years of close finishes after 2005, 2017 and 2022
- Viewership numbers were the highest ever recorded for women’s cricket
- Brands increased investment and player endorsements grew sharply
- Prize money, sponsorship value and total earnings hit record levels
- Many experts now compare the cultural effect of this win to India’s 1983 men’s World Cup moment
Final Word
India’s win turned into more than a tournament result. Performance on the field, record viewership, and increased commercial interest all point in the same direction. Women’s cricket now sits clearly in the category of high-reach and high-value sports, both in India and across the global market. Sources:
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