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Cricket

“Pay equality will have a significant influence on women’s cricket,” says Mithali Raj

The BCCI has stated that both the men’s and women’s teams will be paid equally. This decision has been well accepted by fans and cricketers alike, with the BCCI being the second body to do so after New Zealand. Former skipper Mithali Raj was overjoyed with the decision.

Previously, the women’s squad was paid INR 2.5 lakhs for a Test, INR 1 lakh for an ODI, and INR 1 lakh for a T20I. The squad would now be paid the same as the men’s team, with INR 15 Lakhs for a Test, INR 6 Lakhs for an ODI, and INR 3 Lakhs for a T20I. It would be incorrect to argue that BCCI has taken a significant step.

15th BCCI Apex Council meeting: BCCI implements pay equity policy for Women Cricketers  

The Board for Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) on Thursday announced implementing pay equity policy for its contracted Women cricketers. In the 15th BCCI Apex Council meeting held via video conference, the members passed the resolution unanimously.

  • Mr. Roger Binny, President, BCCI, said: “In our Apex Council meeting today, we have made a marquee decision on pay equity for our women cricketers. Our women players will be paid the same match fees as men in international cricket. This decision sets the platform to grow and develop cricket. I believe this is a significant step forward for women’s cricket and the game overall.”
  • Mr. Jay Shah, Honorary Secretary, BCCI, said: “It was my commitment to our women cricketers and pay equity is an important step towards tackling discrimination. The female cricketers will be paid the same match fee as their male counterparts. Test (INR 15 lakhs), ODI (INR 6 lakhs), T20I (INR 3 lakhs). This is a landmark decision as we enter a new era in India Cricket. I would like to thank my colleagues in the BCCI Apex Council.”
  • Mr. Rajeev Shukla, Vice President, BCCI, said: “This is a revolutionary step for the women’s game and I believe this move will serve as a motivation for the present and future stars of women’s cricket. A lot was spoken about the way forward for the women’s game and I believe pay equity is a step towards that direction. It is an important move, a hallmark one at that and I am sure this will hold the game in good stead going forward.
  • Mr. Ashish Shelar, Honorary Treasurer, BCCI, said: “To support the players of the present and tomorrow, this move will prove to be a game-changer. Women’s cricket is on the rise and the decision of pay equity for our women’s cricketers is another giant step in BCCI’s continuous endeavour to bolster the game. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the members in the BCCI Apex Council who supported the decision.”
  • Mr. Devajit Saikia, Joint Secretary, BCCI, said: “The Indian women’s cricket team has continuously made the country proud with their superb performances across the globe and pay equity is a significant move to appreciate the hard yards the team has been putting in to yield magnificent results. I am delighted that the BCCI Apex Council has taken this historic decision as women’s cricket in India continues to rise. This landmark decision will certainly help in removing gender disparity and encourage more girls to take cricket as a profession.”

Former captain Mithali Raj is anticipated to participate in the first Women’s IPL, since her expertise would be essential in training the players. It would be intriguing to observe how the league performs, since it is supposed to shine a focus on women’s cricket in India.

“I think it’s a historic move. For a long time there have been discussions around this. And I think it has come at the right time. If we are targeting women’s cricket coming to a stage where men’s cricket is today, this decision will go a long way in taking us there. It is in that direction. It will have a huge impact,” Mithali told reporters.

Earlier this year, the BCCI also declared the start of a new era for women’s cricket, with the first Women’s IPL, a move that had been planned for some time. Mithali says that the lucrative competition will ensure that more women stay involved in the sport and do not pursue other avenues of income.

“It also, in a way, will attract young girls to take up the sport. It will ensure parents will now not shy away from looking at women’s cricket as a career option. In the past, it would be difficult because there was not much for the sport in terms of financial gains. There was always this concern whether the sport can sustain or if a girl can make a career out of the sport professionally and not just play for passion,” Mithali stated.

“Now with the women’s IPL also forthcoming, more and more girls will be attracted to the sport. Women’s cricket has been bolstered by these decisions. The pay parity, women’s IPL and Under-19 World Cup are all steps in the right direction. I have always emphasised the importance of the Under 19 World Cup in many of my interviews. It is an important tournament,” Mithali explained.

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