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Mandira Bedi: The Unsung Hero of Women’s Cricket

How Mandira Bedi Once Saved Indian Women's Cricket - 22 Years Before Historic World Cup Glory
November 6 2025

Long before India’s women lifted their first-ever World Cup in 2025, one woman off the pitch helped keep their dream alive. Reported by TimesNow.

Back in 2003, when the Women’s Cricket Association of India (WCAI) was struggling to fund a crucial tour to England, actress and cricket presenter Mandira Bedi quietly stepped in.

At the height of her fame, she donated her entire earnings from a diamond jewellery ad to cover the team’s travel expenses — ensuring the players could represent India on the global stage.

At a time when women’s cricket lacked recognition and resources, Mandira’s generosity gave the team the support they desperately needed — proving that true champions don’t always wear jerseys.

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Mandira Bedi also reached out to several companies and raised funds for women's cricket in the future as well.

WCAI's Financial Struggles Revealed

 
In an interaction with PTI, Nutan Gavaskar, one of the pro-bono members of the WCAI and Sunil Gavaskar's sister, revealed the financialsstruggles of the WCAI before BCCI took charge of women's cricket.
 
She revealed that India did not money to stay in hotels during a tour to New Zealand, and hence had to stay in the homes of NRIs.
 
"The Women's Cricket Association of India (WCAI) was formed in 1973 and selected the national team until 2006, when the BCCI finally took the women's game under its wings.
 
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Looking back, those were days without money, but the women played on for the passion and love of the game," Nutan told PTI.
 
"There was one tour of New Zealand where we couldn't afford hotel stays for the girls. Our team ended up staying at multiple homes of kind NRI families who hosted them.
 
On another occasion, Mandira Bedi shot a commercial for a famous diamond brand and donated her entire endorsement fee to the WCAI.
 
That money helped us arrange air tickets for India's tour of England.

Long before India’s women lifted their first-ever World Cup in 2025, one woman off the pitch helped keep their dream alive. Reported by TimesNow.

Back in 2003, when the Women’s Cricket Association of India (WCAI) was struggling to fund a crucial tour to England, actress and cricket presenter ...
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