In a historic move for the sport, the BCCI has officially approved a significant increase in match fees for women cricketers and match officials across the domestic circuit. This landmark decision follows the Indian women's team's monumental victory in the 2025 ICC ODI World Cup, where they secured their first-ever title by defeating South Africa in the final. The board’s action is seen as a direct response to the team's global success, aiming to capitalise on the soaring popularity of the women’s game.
By giving a 2.5x salary hike, the BCCI is taking a decisive step toward gender pay equity, addressing long-standing disparities in the domestic structure. Furthermore, by including match officials in this hike, the board is reinforcing its commitment to elevating the standards and sustainability of the entire women's cricketing ecosystem.
Massive salary boost for India Women's cricketers announced
Under the newly proposed structure, ratified by the Apex Council, players stand to earn up to 2.5 times their previous match earnings. For senior women in the starting XI, the daily match fee has skyrocketed from Rs 20,000 to Rs 50,000. The financial benefits also extend beyond the starting lineup to include squad reserves, who are vital to the team's depth. The per diem for senior reserve players has been increased from Rs 10,000 to Rs 25,000, ensuring that every member of the squad receives better financial security. This comprehensive revision marks a turning point in the domestic ecosystem, providing much-needed stability for players both on and off the field.
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This strategic shift by the BCCI coincides with a period of unprecedented growth for women’s cricket, which has seen a surge in both global viewership and structural development. During Jay Shah’s tenure as Secretary, the board implemented several foundational reforms designed to professionalize the sport in India. This momentum has since expanded to the international stage, particularly as Shah now brings that same focus to his role as President of the International Cricket Council (ICC).
Under the new leadership of President Mithun Manhas, the BCCI has maintained this aggressive focus on elevating the women’s game. The recently elected president has prioritized continuity in these developmental efforts, ensuring that the sport's infrastructure keeps pace with its rising popularity.
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Here's the complete breakdown of India women's cricketers' revised pay structure
Under the current financial structure, pay scales for women’s cricket are divided by seniority and match status. In Senior Women's tournaments, members of the starting XI earn INR 20,000 per day, while those on the reserve bench receive INR 10,000. Junior Women's tournaments follow a lower tier, with starting players earning INR 10,000 per day and reserves receiving INR 5,000. Notably, across all T20 formats, these daily rates are halved for both categories.
When looking at the overall seasonal earnings, the current figures highlight a modest baseline for domestic professionals. On average, a senior woman cricketer typically earns approximately INR 2 lakhs for an entire season, provided her team participates only in the league stages of senior tournaments.
REFORMED PAY STRUCTURE
- Uniform enhanced structure:
* For Senior Women's tournaments: INR 50,000 per day for the playing 11 and INR 25,000 per day for reserves.
* For T20 matches, the fees will be INR 25,000 for the playing 11 and INR 12,500 for reserves.
* For Junior Women's tournaments: INR 25,000 per day for the playing 11 and INR 12,500 per day for reserves.
* For T20 matches, the fees will be INR 12,500 for the playing 11 and INR 6,250 for reserves.