The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to reward women cricketers after the victory of the Women’s World Cup. Notably, the Indian Cricket Board approved a significant increase in match fees for women cricketers and officials involved in domestic competitions during the Apex Council meeting.
Indian women’s cricket struggled for financial support in its early years. Initially it was run by the Indian Women’s Cricket Association and funding for players was extremely limited. Even after reaching the Women’s World Cup final for the first time in 2005, the Indian team received little official support.
Equal pay marks a turning point for women’s cricket in India
Women’s cricket in India began to see changes after coming under the control of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Players were given contracts and match fees for the first time. However, the payments were still very small compared to the amount men received.
Women earned much less for Test, ODI and T20 matches, and domestic players were paid even less because there were fewer opportunities and less visibility in the game. In October 2022, BCCI announced equal match fees for male and female cricketers.
After this, women players started getting equal salary as men in all formats. The decision was seen as a historic step that strengthened women’s cricket in India and sent a clear message about fairness and equal value for female players.
BCCI approves big increase in women’s domestic match fees
According to a report by ESPNcricinfo, the Board of Control for Cricket in India has approved a major increase in match fees for women’s domestic cricket. This decision was taken by its apex council on Monday.
Under the new structure, senior women players in the playing XI will earn ₹50,000 per day. Reserve players will get ₹25,000 per day, compared to ₹10,000 earlier. In domestic T20 tournaments, match fees are set at ₹25,000 per day for playing XI members and ₹12,500 for reserves.
Age group cricketers in the XI will now get ₹25,000 per day, while reserves will get ₹12,500, earlier getting ₹10,000 and ₹5,000 respectively. With the amendment, the seasonal earnings of an age-group player have increased from just ₹2 lakh to almost ₹5 lakh.
According to BCCI officials, a top senior women cricketer who plays a full domestic season across all formats can now earn between ₹12 lakh to ₹14 lakh.
Junior salary revision in women’s cricket due to internal pressure
According to ESPNcricinfo, pressure to revise salaries at the junior level came from within the system, with senior state coaches and players urging the change to broaden and strengthen the talent base.
The success and visibility of the Women’s Premier League has helped highlight young talent, while India’s consecutive Under-19 World Cup titles have increased interest among young girls.
The report read, “ESPNcricinfo understands that several top state coaches and players had requested such a change internally to help expand the existing talent pool, which the WPL has helped to enhance. The salary revision at the junior level stems from the growing interest in the game among young women, with India emerging champions in back-to-back editions of the Under-19 World Cup.”
Also read: BCCI furious over Pakistan humiliating India U19 in Asia Cup final; Ayush Mhatre in trouble!
