Bhubaneswar, Nov. 5 -- Before India's women cricketers lifted the World Cup and became household names, they fought battles far beyond the field from scarce funding to lack of recognition. In those silent years, one unlikely hero stepped in to keep their dreams alive, Mandira Bedi, the actor, television host, and one of cricket's earliest female presenters.

Between 2003 and 2005, when women's cricket in India struggled for basic resources, Mandira quietly became its invisible sponsor. She donated her entire endorsement fee from a jewellery brand commercial to the Women's Cricket Association of India (WCAI), helping fund the team's tour of England.

Also Read: India wins ICC Women's World Cup 2025: BCCI announces record cash prize, congra...