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In a landmark decision that promises to redefine the landscape of women’s cricket in India, the has announced a substantial increase in match fees for the domestic women cricketers. This historic move, approved during an Apex Council meeting on December 22, 2024, will see match fees more than double across all categories, marking a monumental step towards achieving pay parity and professionalizing the sport for women at the grassroots level.
Coming hot on the heels of India’s glorious maiden victory in November 2024, this initiative solidifies the BCCI’s commitment to fostering a robust and rewarding ecosystem for its female athletes. It’s a clear signal that the board is ready to back its words with concrete financial incentives, making cricket a more viable and attractive career path for aspiring women cricketers across the nation.
Doubling down on dreams: The new pay structure for India’s women cricketers
The revised fee structure is nothing short of revolutionary, particularly for senior players, whose daily match fees have been effectively multiplied by 2.5 times. This dramatic increase aims to bridge the financial gap that has historically existed between men’s and women’s domestic cricket, offering unprecedented financial security and recognition.
| Category | Role | Old Fee (per day) | New Fee (per day) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 rise that strengthens the entire women’s cricket ecosystem
- Annual earnings: Under the previous structure, a senior domestic player earned roughly ₹2 lakh per season. With this hike, a top domestic player featuring in all formats can now earn between ₹12 lakh and ₹14 lakh annually.
- Pay parity: The new daily fee of ₹50,000 matches the rate for many domestic male cricketers (specifically those who have played between 21 and 40 Ranji Trophy games).
- Match officials: The hike isn’t just for players; umpires and match referees will also see their fees increased to a range of ₹40,000 to ₹60,000 per day depending on the match stage.
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This article was first published at , a Cricket Times company.
