The Indian women’s cricket team is still soaking in the pride of their historic maiden ODI World Cup triumph. Ever since Harmanpreet Kaur lifted the trophy in Navi Mumbai earlier this month, the champions have been showered with accolades, rewards and celebratory events across the country. Between heartfelt interviews and emotional storytelling, the players have been moving from one felicitation ceremony to another, embracing a moment that will remain etched in Indian cricket history.

But in the middle of all the applause, legendary opener Sunil Gavaskar has shared a grounded reality check. Drawing from his own experience as a member of India’s iconic 1983 World Cup-winning squad, Gavaskar urged the current heroes not to assume that every reward promised in the aftermath of victory will actually reach 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,” Sunil Gavaskar wrote in his column for Mid-Day. He noted that in India, advertisers, brands and individuals often rush to align themselves with victorious teams for free publicity.

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Many of these congratulatory messages splashed across full-page ads and towering hoardings, he pointed out, come from entities that have no real association with the players. Gavaskar recalled that a similar flood of promises followed the 1983 World Cup win.

The victory that sparked a cricketing revolution in the country also saw countless commitments made to players that “never materialised”. He criticised those who seek publicity on the backs of sporting heroes, bluntly calling them “shameless”.

“The media can’t be blamed,” he added. “They were happy to carry the big announcements, not realising they were being used by these shameless people.”

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In his message to the World Cup-winning women’s team, Gavaskar emphasised that true wealth isn’t in awards or endorsements, but in the love of the Indian cricket fan. Decades later, he said, the affection and loyalty of supporters remain the greatest reward for the 1983 heroes—something today’s champions too will cherish when they look back on their journey.

He signed off with heartfelt praise: “Heartiest congratulations once again. The nation is proud of you. Jai Hind.”