The Indian women’s team scripted history on November 2 after beating South Africa by 52 runs in the final to clinch their maiden ODI World Cup trophy at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.

Subsequently, the BCCI declared that the team, along with the support staff, will receive a total prize money of Rs 51 crore in recognition of their monumental achievement. The state governments followed suit with rewards for players from their respective regions.

Furthermore, Tata Motors and other leading brands also announced a special reward for the World Cup-winning side.

However, batting legend Sunil Gavaskar, who was part of India’s historic 1983 World Cup triumph, has warned Harmanpreet Kaur and her troops not to expect every promise made to them.

“…just a word of caution to the girls. Please don’t get disappointed if some of the promised awards don’t come to you," Gavaskar wrote in his column for mid-day. “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," he added.

The 76-year-old recalled how their 1983 World Cup victory was followed by wide coverage in India and plenty of promises which “never materialised".

Not the one to mince his words, Sunil Gavaskar branded the opportunists as “shameless” people.

“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," Gavaskar wrote.

“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," he concluded.