Maharashtra Honors Smriti, Jemimah & Radha with ₹2.25 Crore Each for World Cup Win

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar felicitated Indian cricket stars Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Radha Yadav on November 7 for their significant contributions to India’s historic 2025 Women’s World Cup victory. Each player received a shawl, bouquet, and a cash prize of ₹2.25 crore at a ceremony held in Mumbai following their return from Delhi. Jemimah Rodrigues attended the event alongside her parents, marking an emotional celebration of their collective success.

Smriti Mandhana played the role of India’s batting anchor, finishing as the team’s second-highest run-scorer with 434 runs at an impressive average of 54.25. Jemimah Rodrigues delivered a defining innings of 127 not out in the semi-finals, helping India defeat seven-time champions Australia and secure a place in the final. Her knock set a new record for the highest individual score by an Indian in a Women’s ODI run chase, surpassing Mandhana’s previous record of 125. This was only the second century by an Indian batter in a World Cup knockout match, following Harmanpreet Kaur’s iconic 171* in 2017.

The final, held at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, saw India overcome South Africa by 52 runs to clinch their maiden ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup title. Shefali Verma was named Player of the Match, while Deepti Sharma earned the Player of the Tournament award. The victory sparked nationwide celebrations, with former stalwarts Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami joining the jubilant team on the field.

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Chief Minister Fadnavis called the trio “the pride of Maharashtra,” praising their perseverance and skill, which he believes will inspire young girls to pursue sports at the highest levels. He also acknowledged the critical roles played by the team’s coach, Amol Muzumdar, and the support staff, who were felicitated alongside the players. The victory, he said, is a defining moment for Indian women’s cricket and a source of immense pride for the entire state.

This felicitations ceremony underscores Maharashtra’s commitment to recognizing and promoting sporting excellence, celebrating the women who have brought the country its first-ever Women’s World Cup triumph, and who continue to inspire the next generation of athletes.

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