By Admin 
Under the captaincy of Harmanpreet Kaur, the Indian women’s cricket team created history on 2 November, when it won its first World Cup title by defeating South Africa in the final. Apart from Rs 40 crore received by ICC for becoming champion, BCCI also announced a reward of Rs 51 crore for the team and staff. Many state governments have also announced separate cash amount for the players of their state. Amidst all this, veteran Sunil Gavaskar has warned female players. He said that they should not be disappointed if they do not get some of the rewards that were promised.
Sunil Gavaskar in his column in Mid-Day wrote, “Just a warning to the players. Don’t be disappointed if you don’t get some of the rewards promised. In India, advertisers, brands and individuals quickly join the race and try to put their free publicity on the shoulders of the winners. Take a look at the full-page ads and hoardings congratulating the team. Unless they are sponsors of the team and individual players, the rest are just promoting their brands or They are trying to promote themselves and are not giving anything to those who bring glory to Indian cricket.”
Sunil Gavaskar has also gone through this phase, when India won the first ODI World Cup in 1983. He was part of that team. Gavaskar recalled the unfulfilled promises made to him and his teammates after the 1983 World Cup victory. After that victory (1983), the craze for cricket increased in India, it inspired the youth. Yet, despite praise, many promises have remained unfulfilled to date. However, Gavaskar is proud of the love and warmth he has received from the public, which he considers to be the truest form of appreciation.
Most of the promises of 1983 were not fulfilled – Gavaskar
Gavaskar further wrote, “Many promises were made to the 1983 team too and got a lot of coverage in the media at that time. Most of those promises were never fulfilled. The media cannot be blamed because they were happy in showing big announcements, not knowing that they too were being used by these shameless people. So girls, if these shameless people are using your victory to promote themselves, then do not worry.”
Gavaskar further wrote, “The people of 1983 will tell you that after so many decades, the love and affection of an ordinary Indian cricket lover is our greatest wealth and when you too take the field, it will be your wealth too. Hearty congratulations once again. The country is proud of you. Jai Hind.”