In a landmark decision that promises to redefine the landscape of women’s cricket in India Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced a significant increase in match fees for domestic women cricketers. This historic move, approved at the Apex Council meeting on December 22, 2024, will more than double match fees across all categories, a monumental step towards achieving pay parity and professionalizing sports for women at the grassroots level.
India’s glory girl is hot on her heels Women’s ODI World Cup A win in November 2024, this initiative reinforces BCCI’s commitment to develop a robust and rewarding ecosystem for women athletes. This is a clear signal that the board is ready to back up its words with concrete financial incentives, making cricket a more viable and attractive career path for women aspiring cricketers across the country.
Doubling down on dreams: New salary structure for India’s women cricketers
The revised fee structure is nothing revolutionary, especially for senior players whose daily match fees have effectively increased by 2.5 times. This dramatic increase aims to close the funding gap that has historically existed between men’s and women’s domestic cricket, offering unprecedented financial security and recognition.
| Category | Role | Old payment (daily) | New charge (daily) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Senior Women (One Day / Multi-day) | Playing XI | ₹ 20,000 | ₹50,000 |
| Senior Women (One Day / Multi-day) | Reserves | ₹ 10,000 | ₹ 25,000 |
| Senior Women (T20) | Playing XI | ₹ 10,000 | ₹ 25,000 |
| Senior Women (T20) | Reserves | ₹ 5,000 | ₹ 12,500 |
| Junior Women (U-23 & U-19) | Playing XI | ₹ 10,000 | ₹ 25,000 |
| Junior Women (U-23 & U-19) | Reserves | ₹ 5,000 | ₹ 12,500 |
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A pay hike that strengthens the entire women’s cricket ecosystem
- Annual earnings: Under the previous structure, a senior domestic player earned around ₹2 lakh per season. With this increase, a top domestic player playing in all formats can now earn between ₹12 lakh and ₹14 lakh per annum.
- Payment parity: The new daily fee of ₹50,000 matches the rate of many domestic male cricketers (especially those who have played 21 and 40 Ranji Trophy games).
- Match Officials: The ride isn’t just for gamers; umpires and match referees will also see their salary increase from ₹40,000 to ₹60,000 per day depending on the stage of the match.
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This article was originally published here WomenCricket.coma Cricket Times company.
