NEW DELHI: Indian women cricketers have been showered with cash rewards ever since they clinched their maiden World Cup title on November 2. The victory has widely been hailed as a watershed moment for women's cricket in India, drawing comparisons with the men's team's iconic 1983 World Cup triumph.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) went all out, announcing a massive cash reward of Rs 51 crore. In addition, the team earned $4.48 million (around Rs 39.78 crore) from the International Cricket Council (ICC) - the highest prize money ever awarded in women's cricket.

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Several state governments also announced rewards for players, including Richa Ghosh, Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, and Harleen Deol. However, legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar advised the players not to be disappointed if some promises are not fulfilled, sharing insights from his own experience.

"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.

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Gavaskar recalls that after India's 1983 World Cup win, the team received numerous promises and media hype, but most of those promises never materialised. He warns the women players that some people may similarly try to use their victory for personal publicity or political gain, without actually delivering anything tangible.

"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," added Gavaskar.

"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."