Sunil Gavaskar cautions Indian women’s team after World Cup win, says ‘please don’t get disappointed if..’

The Indian team, after winning the Women’s World Cup 2025 have done something truly special, and this could only kickstart an era, that had followed after the men’s teams victory in the 1983 World Cup. And no wonder, there have been multiple prize announcements for the victorious team, as well as individual players.

Gavaskar Credits Jay Shah for Positive Change in Indian Women’s Cricket

Former India skipper Sunil Gavaskar, in his column for Mid-Day, not only congratulated the Indian team, but also ICC chairman, and the former BCCI secretary Jay Shah, for bringing a positive change in women’s cricket. He went on to write, “For Jay it must have been a moment of great satisfaction too, for if there is one person who has taken bold steps to give Indian girls the drive and the motivation to excel, it is the former secretary of BCCI.”

Sunny G further wrote how under him, the BCCI made the match fees, equal for men and women teams. “It was under his leadership that the BCCI decided to make the girls’ match fees on par with the men’s while playing for India. If that was not a confidence booster, then starting the WPL, where not only some girls became crorepatis but also got a chance to rub shoulders and observe and learn from some of the overseas legends of the game, was definitely it. That can be a big game changer as the awe factor goes away seeing that these greats are also human like others — with two eyes, ears, hands and legs.”

A Word of Caution

But amidst the celebrations, Gavaskar sent a word of caution to the young Indian player, to beware of the companies/advertisers, who announce prizes, and later don’t meet their promises. He also cited the 83′ team’s examples, who were promised a lot. “Finally, just a word of caution to the girls. Please don’t get disappointed if some of the promised awards don’t come to you. In India, advertisers and brands and individuals are quick to jump on the bandwagon and try and get free publicity for themselves on the shoulders of the winners.

“Have a look at the full-page advertising and hoardings congratulating the team. Unless they are team and individual players sponsors, the rest are only trying to promote their brands or themselves and giving nothing to the ones who have brought glory to Indian cricket.”

This Had Happened in 1983

Lastly, he said that the media can’t be blamed for it; in fact slammed these advertisers, out of the park. “The 1983 team also were made many promises with loads of coverage in the media then. Almost all never materialised. The media can’t be blamed as they were happy to carry the lofty announcements, not realising that they also were being used by these shameless people. So girls, don’t fret if these shameless ones are using your win to promote themselves.”