The Maharashtra government has made a grand gesture to honor the state's cricket heroes who brought glory to India by winning the Women's T20 World Cup. In a special ceremony held in Mumbai, three exceptional cricketers received substantial financial rewards for their outstanding performance in the international tournament.
Historic Felicitation Ceremony
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde personally presided over the felicitation ceremony where the state government announced a combined reward of ₹2.25 crore for the three Maharashtra-born players. The event took place at Varsha, the official residence of the Chief Minister, marking the significance of this achievement in women's cricket history.
The financial rewards were distributed based on the players' roles and contributions to the team's success. Vice-captain Smriti Mandhana received the highest amount of ₹1 crore, recognizing her leadership and batting prowess. Middle-order batter Jemimah Rodrigues was awarded ₹75 lakh for her consistent performances, while left-arm spinner Radha Yadav received ₹50 lakh for her bowling contributions.
Recognition Beyond Financial Rewards
During the ceremony, Chief Minister Shinde emphasized that the recognition went beyond monetary compensation. He praised the players for inspiring millions of young girls across Maharashtra and India to pursue cricket and sports in general. The government's initiative aims to boost women's sports in the country and provide proper acknowledgment for international achievements.
The three cricketers expressed their gratitude for the state government's recognition and shared their experiences from the World Cup campaign. They highlighted how this support would motivate them to perform even better in future tournaments and help nurture upcoming talent in Maharashtra.
Boosting Women's Cricket in India
This felicitation comes at a crucial time for women's cricket in India, following their historic T20 World Cup victory in Bangladesh. The substantial financial reward sets a precedent for how state governments can acknowledge and encourage sporting excellence among women athletes.
The Maharashtra government's move has been widely appreciated by sports enthusiasts and cricket experts alike. Many see this as a significant step toward bridging the gap between men's and women's cricket in terms of recognition and financial support. The players acknowledged that such initiatives would help professional women cricketers focus more on their game without financial concerns.
This recognition from the Maharashtra government is expected to create a ripple effect, encouraging other states to similarly honor their sporting heroes and invest in developing women's sports infrastructure across the country.
