The 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup was more than just a tournament — it was a celebration of how far women’s cricket has come. Hosted by India and Sri Lanka, this edition not only gave fans thrilling matches but also made history with a record-breaking prize pool and some unforgettable player performances.
Record-Breaking Prize Money
The International Cricket Council (ICC) made a big statement this year. For the first time ever, the total prize pool reached USD 13.88 million, almost four times higher than the 2022 edition.
Here’s how the money was distributed among the teams:
- Winners: USD 4.48 million (RS. 40 crores approx.)
- Runners-up: USD 2.24 million
- Semi-finalists: USD 1.12 million each
- Teams finishing 5th–6th: USD 700,000 each
- Teams finishing 7th–8th: USD 280,000 each
- Participation fee for all teams: USD 250,000
- Bonus for every group-stage win: USD 34,314
This prize pool even surpassed the men’s 2023 ODI World Cup (USD 10 million), marking a huge step forward for gender equality in cricket.
After India’s championship win, the BCCI announced an additional ₹51 crore cash reward for the women’s team — a proud moment for Indian cricket and for women’s sports overall.
Top Performers and Player Statistics
The tournament saw some truly outstanding individual performances. From consistent batting brilliance to match-winning bowling spells, here are the top stats from the 2025 Women’s World Cup:
Top Run-Scorers
- Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa) – 571 runs
- Smriti Mandhana (India) – 434 runs (Average 54.25)
- Ashleigh Gardner (Australia) – 328 runs
- Pratika Rawal (India) – 308 runs
- Phoebe Litchfield (Australia) – 304 runs
Smriti Mandhana also broke the record for most runs by an Indian player in a single Women’s World Cup, leading India to their historic win.
Top Wicket-Takers
- Deepti Sharma (India) – 22 wickets
- Annabel Sutherland (Australia) – 17 wickets
- Sophie Ecclestone (England) – 16 wickets
Deepti Sharma’s consistent performances with the ball earned her the Player of the Tournament title, while Smriti Mandhana was named Best Batter of the competition.
Memorable Moments
- India’s victory over South Africa in the final was one for the ages — full of drama, skill, and heart.
- Several records were broken, including India’s highest team total in Women’s World Cup history.
- The tournament also showcased how competitive the women’s game has become, with matches often decided in the final overs.
What This Means for Women’s Cricket
The 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup will be remembered not just for India’s win but for what it represented — a new era for women’s cricket.
- The huge increase in prize money shows the ICC’s commitment to giving women cricketers the recognition they deserve.
- Players now have better financial security, allowing them to pursue cricket full-time.
- Sponsors and broadcasters are taking greater interest, bringing in more investment and visibility to the women’s game.
From grassroots players to established stars, this World Cup proved that women’s cricket is not just growing — it’s thriving.