BCCI Holds Off on Victory Parade for Women’s World Cup Winners Amid ICC Meetings

Despite clinching India’s maiden ICC Women’s ODI World Cup title with a commanding 52-run victory over South Africa on Sunday, the Harmanpreet Kaur-led squad will not receive an immediate victory parade or public felicitation. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed through Secretary Devajit Saikia that no celebrations are scheduled until senior officials return from the ICC Board meetings in Dubai, set for November 4–7. Speaking from Mumbai airport, Saikia stated, “Nothing like a victory parade is planned as of now,” explaining that logistical priorities and administrative commitments are delaying festivities for at least a week.

The historic final, played at DY Patil Stadium, saw India post 298/7, powered by Shafali Verma’s explosive 87 (Player of the Match), Smriti Mandhana’s 45, and Deepti Sharma’s all-round heroics—58 runs and 5-39. South Africa, led by Laura Wolvaardt’s valiant 101, were bowled out for 246 in 48.3 overs, marking India’s first World Cup win in the 50-over format after 47 years of near-misses. The triumph ended a three-match mid-tournament slump and capped a campaign that saw India defeat Australia, England, and New Zealand en route to the final.

While fans anticipated an open-bus parade akin to the men’s 2007 T20 World Cup celebrations, the BCCI’s focus remains on Dubai, where Saikia and other officials will address multiple issues. Foremost is the unresolved 2025 Men’s T20 Asia Cup trophy saga—India refused to accept the silverware from ACC Chairman Mohsin Naqvi (also Pakistan’s Interior Minister and PCB head) after a tense five-wicket final win on September 28. Citing cross-border tensions post the Pahalgam attack and “Operation Sindoor”, India skipped handshakes and medals, prompting a formal BCCI letter to the ACC. Saikia vowed, “We will take up the Asia Cup trophy matter with the ICC and hopefully get our trophy back with the respect and honour it deserves.”

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Financially, the BCCI has not held back—announcing a Rs 51 crore reward for the women’s team, complementing the ICC’s USD 4.48 million (approx. Rs 40 crore) prize, totalling over Rs 90 crore. This matches the board’s incentive for the men’s 2024 T20 World Cup win, signalling growing parity in recognition. Head coach Amol Muzumdar called it a “watershed moment”, while President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi (scheduled to meet the team on November 5) lauded the victory as inspiration for millions of girls.

The delay has sparked debate on celebration timelines, especially given the men’s team’s prompt Mumbai parade in July 2024. Critics note that logistical constraints tied to ICC meetings are routine, yet the optics of postponing a woman’s milestone risk reinforcing perceptions of secondary status. Still, the team’s perfect 11-0 ODI record against Pakistan and Wolvaardt’s standing ovation from Indian fans underscored sportsmanship amid rivalry.

As India awaits the parade—likely in Mumbai or Delhi post-Dubai—the victory has already reshaped women’s cricket’s narrative. From Surat diamantaire Govind Dholakia’s pledge of diamond jewellery and solar panels to nationwide euphoria, the win transcends sport, symbolising resilience and possibility. When the open-top bus finally rolls, it will carry not just champions but a generation’s dreams crystallised into a long-overdue celebration.

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