“Don’t be disappointed if promised rewards don’t come”- Gavaskar cautions Indian Women’s players after World Cup win

On November 2, the Indian women's cricket team, captained by Harmanpreet Kaur, created history by winning the World Cup for the first time by defeating South Africa in the final. However, India’s 1983 World Cup winner Sunil Gavaskar has cautioned the players not to get upset if they don’t get some of the promised awards.

The ICC awarded the squad ₹40 crore for winning, while the BCCI announced a further ₹51 crore prize for players and support personnel. Separate financial incentives for each player have also been announced by some state governments.

Amid the celebrations, cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar offered a word of caution to the team, stating, “Don’t be disappointed if some of the promised rewards don’t materialize.”

"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," Gavaskar wrote in his column for Mid-Day.

He further shared his own experience after India won the 1983 World Cup, defeating the West Indies at Lord’s in June.

"The 1983 team also made many promises with loads of coverage in the media then. Almost all never materialize. The media can’t be blamed, as they were happy to carry the lofty announcements, not realizing 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.

The 1983 guys will tell you that so many decades down the line, the love and affection of the simple Indian cricket lover is our greatest wealth, and so it will be yours too when you also put your feet up. Heartiest congratulations once again. The nation is proud of you. Jai Hind,” he added.

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