BCCI Boosts Women’s Domestic Cricketers’ Pay Dramatically

Following the historic triumph in the ODI World Cup, India’s women cricketers are set to receive a substantial pay increase for their domestic league performances. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has sanctioned a significant hike in match fees for domestic women’s competitions, a move widely applauded as a game-changer for the sport. This decision, finalized during the BCCI Apex Council meeting on December 22, is directly linked to the national team’s stellar World Cup showing and the surging popularity and commercial appeal of women’s cricket in India.

Senior domestic women cricketers will now earn ₹50,000 per day for participating in one-day and multi-day matches. Non-playing squad members will receive ₹25,000 per match day. For domestic T20 tournaments, players in the playing XI will be compensated ₹25,000 per match, with reserves earning ₹12,500. This represents a substantial increase from the previous rates, where senior players earned ₹20,000 per match day and ₹10,000 as reserves. This adjustment aims to bring domestic earnings closer to parity with their male counterparts.

BCCI officials estimate that a senior woman cricketer’s annual income from league matches alone could multiply several times over, especially for those competing across different formats. The benefits extend to junior players as well. Under-19 and Under-23 cricketers will now earn ₹25,000 per day for one-day and multi-day matches as part of the playing XI, and ₹12,500 for reserves. In T20s, junior players will receive ₹12,500 per match, with non-playing members getting ₹6,250. This initiative is expected to foster greater financial security for young talent, encouraging more to pursue the sport.

Furthermore, domestic umpires and match referees have also been granted a significant pay raise. Officials will now receive a flat fee of ₹40,000 per day for league matches. For knockout stages, fees will range from ₹50,000 to ₹60,000 daily, acknowledging the increased responsibility and demands of crucial fixtures. This ensures fair compensation for the growing workload and professionalism in India’s expanding domestic cricket calendar.