BCCI announces major hike in match fees for domestic women cricketers after World Cup triumph
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to reward women cricketers after the Women’s World Cup triumph. Notably, the Indian Cricket Board approved a significant increase in match fees for women cricketers and officials involved in domestic competitions at the Apex Council meeting.
Indian women’s cricket struggled to gain financial support during its early years. It was initially managed by the Women’s Cricket Association of India and funding for players was extremely limited. The Indian team received little official support, even after reaching the final of the Women’s World Cup for the first time in 2005.
Equal pay marked a turning point for women’s cricket in India
Women’s cricket in India began to change after coming under the purview of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Players received contracts and match fees for the first time. However, the payments remained very low compared to what the men received.
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Women earned significantly less for Tests, ODIs and T20 matches, and domestic players were paid even less because the game offered fewer opportunities and low visibility. In October 2022, the BCCI announced equal match fees for men and women cricketers.
Female players then began to receive the same salary as men in all formats. The move was seen as a historic step, strengthening women’s cricket in India and sending a clear message about fairness and equal value for players.
BCCI approves major increase in prices for women’s domestic matches
According to a report by ESPNcricinfo, the Board of Control for Cricket in India has approved a significant increase in match fees for women’s domestic cricket. The decision was taken by its Supreme Council on Monday.
Under the new structure, senior players in the playing XI will earn ₹50,000 per day. Reserve players will get ₹25,000 per day, up from ₹10,000 previously. In domestic T20 tournaments, match fees are fixed at ₹25,000 per day for XI members and ₹12,500 for reserves.
XI age group cricketers will now earn ₹25,000 per day, while reserves will get ₹12,500, previously ₹10,000 and ₹5,000 respectively. With the revision, the seasonal earnings of a player in an age group increase from a little over ₹2 lakh to around ₹5 lakh.
According to BCCI officials, a top senior women’s cricketer who plays a full domestic season in all formats can now earn between ₹12 lakh and ₹14 lakh.
Internal efforts led to review of junior pay in women’s cricket
According to ESPNcricinfo, the drive to review salaries at the junior level has come from within the system, with coaches and senior players in the state demanding changes to broaden and strengthen the talent base.
The success and visibility of the Women’s Premier League has helped shine a spotlight on young talent, while India’s back-to-back Under-19 World Cup titles have boosted interest among young girls.
“ESPNcricinfo understands that several top coaches and players from the state had requested such a change internally to help expand an existing talent pool that the WPL has helped amplify. The salary revision at the junior level stems from a growing interest in the game among young women, with India having become champions in consecutive editions of the Under-19 World Cup,” the report read.
Also read: BCCI furious after Pakistan humiliates India U19 in Asia Cup final; Ayush Mhatre in trouble
