India's women's cricket team etched history on Sunday by clinching their maiden ICC Women's World Cup title with a dominant 52-run victory over South Africa in Navi Mumbai, led by captain Harmanpreet Kaur's unbeaten 75. The triumph, witnessed by ecstatic fans at DY Patil Stadium, capped a journey of resilience amid decades of financial hardships and underfunding. Long before corporate sponsorships and packed stadiums, the Women's Cricket Association of India (WCAI), formed in 1973, struggled to fund even basic international tours, relying on passion over paychecks until the BCCI integrated women's cricket in 2006.

In those lean years, Bollywood actress and pioneering cricket broadcaster Mandira Bedi emerged as an unsung hero, quietly sponsoring the team from 2003 to 2005. Renowned for her roles in films like Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge and as the first woman host of the 2003 ICC Men's World Cup—despite facing sexist backlash—Mandira leveraged her rising fame to advocate for the women's game. She personally approached brands, securing vital sponsorships, and her efforts bridged the gap between invisibility and recognition for players like Mithali Raj and Mamatha Maben.

One of Mandira's most poignant gestures came in 2003 when she shot an advertisement for the diamond jewellery brand Asmi and donated her entire endorsement fee to the WCAI. This timely influx covered air tickets for the team's crucial tour of England, enabling them to compete on the global stage without forfeiting due to budget woes. Nutan Gavaskar, Sunil Gavaskar's sister and a WCAI stalwart, fondly recalled the act as a lifeline, noting Mandira's broader role in convincing Asmi to sponsor the 2004 ODI series against West Indies.

Also Read: India and Bahrain Deepen Strategic Ties, Initiate CEPA and Investment Talks

Nutan highlighted the era's gritty realities, where tours like one to New Zealand forced the team to bunk with kind NRI families due to hotel costs. "Those were days without money, but the women played for the love of the game," she told PTI, crediting pro-bono supporters like Mandira for keeping the flame alive. Mandira's involvement not only provided funds but also sparked corporate interest, breaking the cycle of low visibility and scant resources that plagued women's cricket.

As celebrations continue post the 2025 World Cup win, Mandira's 2003 tweet-like reflection—"What a journey. What a fight. Sweet victory, so well deserved!"—resonates deeply. Her behind-the-scenes sacrifices remind us that today's glory stands on the shoulders of quiet champions who turned personal generosity into a sporting revolution, inspiring generations of women athletes in India.

Also Read: India Sends 15 Tonnes of Emergency Food to Earthquake-Hit Northern Afghanistan