07 November,2025 07:55 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
(Left to right) Ajit Pawar, Smriti Mandhana, Devendra Fadnavis (Pic: X/@PTI_News)
Maharashtra Chief Minister (CM) Devendra Fadnavis, along with Deputy CMs Ajit Pawar, felicitated three players of the ODI Women's World Cup 2025 on Friday.
Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues and Radha Yadav were handed over a cash prize of Rs 2.25 crore each by the Maharashtra Government during the felicitation ceremony at the CM's official bungalow 'Varsha'.
The Harmanpreet Kaur-led Team India had defeated South Africa on November 2 in the final of ODI Women's World Cup 2025 at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai.
The victory also marked the first-ever World Cup title in the history of Indian women's cricket.
Meanwhile, Amanjot Kaur and Harleen Deol received a grand welcome with sweets and the beats of dhol by their families and politicians after they landed at their home bases in Punjab. The family members and cricket fans were eagerly waiting to receive the players. Soon after their arrival, Punjab's Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema and AAP MP Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer offered the two players sweets and also honoured them with shawls.
Amanjot's catch proved out to be crucial for India's triumph. She took a stunning catch to dismiss South African skipper, Laura Wolvaardt.
Earlier, the Indian women's cricket team had also met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu at their official residences, following the victory.
In the final match, the Proteas were given a target of 299 runs. However, the Indian women's team bowled them for 246 runs in 45.3 overs.
Deepti Sharma was the most successful bowler for the hosts. Bowling 9.3 overs, she bagged five wickets for 39 runs. Shafali Verma claimed two wickets by conceding 36 runs in seven overs while Nallapureddy Charani picked up one wicket for 48 runs in nine overs.
Verma was named as the "Player of the Match" as she also played a knock of 87 runs during India's innings.
Following the historic triumph, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced a prize money of Rs 51 crore to the "Women in Blue".
