Indian Cricket Board take a historic decision for women’s cricket with regard to equal pay

India women's team: (Image Source: Twitter)

In what has come as a historic decision for women’s cricket in India, the Indian Cricket Board has come up with a new pay equity policy. Under the policy, both the men’s and the women’s cricketers will get equal match fees across formats in international cricket.

Just like the men’s cricketers, the women’s cricketers will earn 15 lakhs for a Test match, 6 lakhs for an ODI, and 3 lakhs for a T20 international. Earlier, the women had been given match fees of INR 1 lakh for an ODI and T20I and 4 lakhs for a Test match.

“I’m pleased to announce BCCI’s first step towards tackling discrimination. We are implementing pay equity policy for our contracted @BCCIWomen cricketers. The match fee for both Men and Women Cricketers will be same as we move into a new era of gender equality in Cricket.” The Indian Cricket Board’s secretary, Jay Shah tweeted.

“The women cricketers will be paid the same match fee as their male counterparts. Test (INR 15 lakhs), ODI (INR 6 lakhs), T20I (INR 3 lakhs). Pay equity was my commitment to our women cricketers and I thank the Apex Council for their support.”

I’m pleased to announce @BCCI’s first step towards tackling discrimination. We are implementing pay equity policy for our contracted @BCCIWomen cricketers. The match fee for both Men and Women Cricketers will be same as we move into a new era of gender equality in 🇮🇳 Cricket. pic.twitter.com/xJLn1hCAtl

— Jay Shah (@JayShah) October 27, 2022

The annual pay of both genders, however, remains the same as before. The players in the highest bracket receive INR 50 lakh, while the players in Grade B and Grade C take home 30 lakh and 10 lakh respectively.

Earlier, the Indian Cricket Board also announced the start of the Women’s Indian T20 League competition from next year. The board is planning to have five or six teams in the competition and it is likely to be held in February. India women’s team, recently, won their 7th Asia Cup title after beating Sri Lanka in the final. Harmanpreet Kaur will host Australia for a five-match T20 international series in November and December.