BCCI announces cash awards for India eves

On the eve of Sunday's Women's World Cup final against England at the Lord's in London, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Saturday announced a cash prize of Rs 50 lakh for each member of the Indian team for their performance.

The cricket board also announced a cash award of Rs 25 lakh each for the support staff of the Mithali Raj-led side.

Aiming for their maiden Women's World Cup crown, India rode on all-rounder Harmanpreet Kaur's breezy 115-ball unbeaten 171 to knock Australia out by 36 runs in the semi-final at Derby on Thursday.

Announcing the cash awards the board's acting Secretary Amitabh Choudhary said: "The BCCI would like to announce a cash prize of Rs 50 lakh to each member of the squad and Rs 25 lakh to each member of the support staff. We wish them the best as they prepare for their biggest match tomorrow at the Lord's Cricket Ground."

Hailing the performance of the side, BCCI's Committee of Administrators (CoA) chief Vinod Rai said: "I would like to congratulate the Indian women's cricket team for their exemplary show in the ICC Women's World Cup."

"The team has shown tremendous character and the girls have raised the bar with each passing game under the able leadership of Mithali Raj. The women's World Cup has been widely followed across India and this team's spirit and performance on the field has won admirers all over the world. I am sure this team has inspired the next generation of cricketers and many more girls will take up the sport in the years to come."

Acting President C.K. Khanna said: "The BCCI acknowledges the performance of the Indian women's cricket team that has qualified for the final of the ICC Women's World Cup 2017."

"The team has a good blend of young talent and experienced campaigners in captain Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami. The all-round performance was on display in the semi-final against Australia women, who have won the World Cup six times. The fearless batting of Harmanpreet Kaur mirrors the team's approach under pressure," Khanna added.

This is the Indian women's team's second entry in a World Cup final, having lost to Australia in their first attempt in 2005 at Centurion.

--IANS

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