Mandira Bedi Donated Her Entire Ad Fee To India's Women Cricket Team To Fly To England, 'No Money..'

When the Indian Women's Cricket Team lifted the World Cup, the entire country celebrated the big win with open hearts and chests swelling with pride. However, did you know there was a time when the team didn't even have sufficient funds to participate in international tournaments? The road to this win was shaped by many who helped long before the spotlight shone, among them Mandira Bedi, the first woman to host the ICC Cricket World Cup. 

Mandira Bedi funded the Indian Women's Cricket Team's England tour

Mandira Bedi is well known not just for changing how viewers saw women in cricket, but also for stepping in when players needed real help. The presenter and actress became a familiar face in the broadcasting world when the field was still a foreign ground for women. While Mandira was harshly judged and labeled 'dumb' by critics who looked down on her, refusing to believe she could take the sport seriously, Mandira rose from the other side as one of the brightest stars in cricket broadcasting.

However, she didn't just support her career in a man's world, but also gave wings to the women's national team when they didn't have enough money to fly abroad for tournaments. In a candid conversation with PTI, Nutan Gavaskar revealed that the Women's Cricket Association of India (WCAI) had no support because women's cricket wasn't recognised as a professional sport. However, that's when Mandira, who was already a big name in the TV industry, chose to use her popularity for the team. 

Nutan recalled how Mandira Bedi had just done an endorsement for a big business. However, instead of using the funds for herself, she selflessly donated the entire amount to WCAI so the team could participate in the international tournament in England. She was quoted as saying:

"There was no money, but all those women played for the sheer passion and love of the game. On another occasion, we had Mandira Bedi, who shot a commercial for a famous diamond brand. She donated the entire endorsement fee she received to the WCAI. That money helped us arrange air tickets for India’s tour of England."

Mandira Bedi also commented on supporting the Indian Women's Team over the years

Mandira Bedi also spoke about how she has supported the Indian Women's Cricket Team over the years. The actress, during an interview, revealed that everything she would make from her endorsements would go towards sponsoring sports. Shubhangi Kulkarni, then WCAI secretary, added that after Mandira pushed the cause, more corporates slowly opened doors for women's cricket. She was quoted as saying:

"The money I would have taken for my endorsement will go towards the cricket sponsorship." 

Mandira Bedi on the Indian Women's Cricket Team's big World Cup victory

After India's emotional World Cup win in Mumbai, Mandira Bedi shared a handwritten note on Instagram. She expressed her pride in a heartfelt note, which acknowledged the efforts of the Indian team. The actress's note could be read as:

"You didn't play for a nation, you moved it. I once stood on the sidelines of women’s cricket, humbled by its grit and grace. Last night, you showed the world its power."

What are your thoughts on Mandira Bedi's contribution to the Indian Women's Cricket Team?

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