For ICC World Cup-winning women cricket stars, cash, brand endorsements, jobs — and promise to lift father’s suspension

MP Sports Minister Vishvas Kailash Sarang told The Indian Express: “Kranti has spoken about the need for a cricket stadium in Chhatarpur (her home district) and we will develop one with the best facilities. As for Kranti’s father’s suspension, there will be an official appeal to reinstate him.”

Overwhelmed by the gesture, Kranti’s brother Mayank said: “My sister has not only made the country proud but has restored the honour of our family.” In 2011, Karnti’s father had faced an inquiry on charges of negligence of duty, an allegation he denied.

World Cup winner Amanjot Kaur welcomed on arrival in Chandigarh. (Credit: Express Photo | Jasbir Malhi)

Some of the others in the team, too, have been taken by surprise with the response of their achievement.

In a smart move two days after batter Harleen Deol asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi about his skincare routine when the team called on him, a cosmetic company signed her as brand ambassador.

Hours after landing in Chandigarh airport, Harleen was at a photo shoot. “She has a brand endorsement shoot today. We are glad that her passion for cricket has got her endorsements,” Dr Manjot Singh, Harleen’s brother, said.

But then, it’s not only Harleen whose brand value is set to go through the roof. Divyanshu Singh, the CEO of JSW Sports, the firm that manages Jemimah Rodrigues and Shafali Verma, the star performers in the semifinal and final, has the numbers.

“The Women’s World Cup didn’t just create champions on the field, it created India’s next generation of sporting icons. Jemimah and Shafali have seen their brand value and influence grow exponentially, making them powerful commercial figures,” Singh said.

“Jemimah’s Instagram following has more than doubled from 1.5 million to 3.3 million, while Shafali’s has grown by over 50 per cent. Their endorsement values have also surged — Jemimah from Rs 60 lakh to Rs 1.5 crore, and Shafali from Rs 40 lakh to over Rs 1 crore in under a year. Jemimah today represents Nike, Red Bull, and Hyundai, and her Surf Excel moment marketing campaign post the World Cup became a cultural touchpoint — celebrating effort, resilience, and authenticity,” he said.

Richa Ghosh, member of the Women’s ODI World Cup 2025-winning Indian cricket team, arrives in her hometown, Siliguri, West Bengal, Friday, Nov. 7, 2025. (PTI Photo)

The detergent brand was quick on the ball. Tapping into their “Daag acche hai (Stains are good)” punchline, they urged Jemimah not to wash but frame the mud-soaked jersey from the World Cup semifinals against Australia — a match in which she scored an unbeaten century.

Singh sees women’s cricketers as “true anchors of change”. “Beyond numbers, these athletes are expanding the paradigm of influence; showing how sport can drive societal change. Whether it’s Jemimah speaking openly about mental health and anxiety, or the broader inspiration they offer to young girls, they represent a more inclusive and empowered generation,” he said.

Now, the cash awards. After USD 4.48 mn (Rs 39.7 crore approx) from the ICC as prize money, the BCCI announced a reward of Rs 51 crore. The Chief ministers of various states followed — the latest being Maharashtra’s Devendra Fadnavis with Rs 2.5 crore each for vice-captain Smriti Mandhana, Radha Yadav and Jemimah, and Rs 25 lakh each for head coach Amol Muzumdar and bowling coach Aavishkar Salvi, along with iPhones. Fadnavis also backed a proposal by the Mumbai Cricket Association to reserve one of the grounds in the city exclusively for women cricketers.

SUVs and land plots

In Andhra, left-arm spinner Sree Charani was rewarded with a 1,000 sq ft housing plot, a Group-I job and a cash award by Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu. The CMs of MP, Punjab, Haryana, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh have also promised cash, jobs and promotions for their winners. Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini has invited Shafali, who was named ambassador of Haryana Women Commission earlier this week, to his official residence in Chandigarh next week.

The keys to new SUVs are on the way, too. Tata Motors will give each of the World Cup winners its soon-to-be relaunched Tata Sierra.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu with N. Shree Charani, member of the Women’s ODI World Cup 2025-winning Indian cricket team, during a meeting, in Hyderabad. (Handout via PTI Photo)

The players have also been welcomed like stars on their return to their states.

All-rounders Amanjot Kaur and Harleen were received at the Chandigarh airport by Punjab’s Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema and MP Meet Hayer with cavalcades taking the cricketers home. “You can see what changes have happened since we won the World Cup,” Amanjot said, adding that the first thing she did was to visit her grandmother who had suffered a heart attack just before the World Cup.

“My mind has been preoccupied with my grandmother’s health, yet in these moments, I can see how life has changed for each one of us. Meeting the PM and President has been the biggest honour for each one of us. And now the welcome on returning home,” Amanjot said.

In Himachal’s Parsa village, fast bowler Renuka Thakur’s brother Vinod has been welcoming a steady stream of visitors. “Our village is now known as Renuka’s village,” he said. On the family’s wishlist now is a police officer’s job. “We hope to see Renuka in a DSP’s uniform soon,” Vinod said.