Mumbai: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has approved a substantial hike in match fees for domestic women cricketers and match officials, more than doubling existing payments in a landmark move aimed at ensuring greater pay parity and financial security across the domestic circuit. The decision was approved by the BCCI Apex Council and comes in the backdrop of India’s maiden ICC Women’s ODI World Cup triumph, which has further strengthened the push for equity in women’s cricket.

Under the revised structure, senior women cricketers participating in domestic tournaments will now earn between Rs 50,000 and Rs 60,000 per day, a significant jump from the earlier match fee of Rs 20,000 per day. Reserve players, who were earlier paid Rs 10,000, will now receive substantially higher compensation as well.

Major boost for senior women cricketers

The revised pay structure marks one of the biggest financial upgrades for women’s domestic cricket in India. In senior women’s one-day and multi-day domestic tournaments, players in the playing XI will be paid Rs 50,000 per day, while reserve players will earn Rs 25,000 per day.

For domestic T20 tournaments, women cricketers in the first XI will now earn Rs 25,000 per match day, with reserves receiving Rs 12,500. This represents a more than 100 per cent increase compared to the earlier remuneration structure, which had long been flagged as inadequate by players and stakeholders.

According to BCCI officials, a top domestic women cricketer featuring across all formats in a full season can now earn between Rs 12 lakh and Rs 14 lakh. This is a significant improvement from previous seasons and is expected to make domestic cricket a more viable and sustainable career option for women players.

Pay hike for junior women players

The Apex Council has also approved enhanced remuneration for junior women cricketers, ensuring that the benefits of the revised structure extend beyond the senior level. Players in the Under-23 and Under-19 categories will now be paid Rs 25,000 per day, while reserve players in these age groups will earn Rs 12,500 per day.

Officials believe that improving earnings at the junior level is crucial for talent retention and development, particularly at a time when women’s cricket is witnessing increased participation and competitiveness across the country.

The revised structure is expected to encourage young players to pursue cricket more seriously and help families better support aspiring women cricketers through their formative years.

Match officials also benefit

In addition to players, match officials including umpires and match referees will also see a significant increase in their earnings. For league matches in domestic tournaments, umpires and match referees will now be paid Rs 40,000 per day.

For knockout matches, the per-day remuneration will range between Rs 50,000 and Rs 60,000, depending on the importance of the fixture and operational requirements. This hike is aimed at recognising the critical role played by officials in maintaining the quality and integrity of domestic competitions.

As a result of the revised structure, umpires officiating in Ranji Trophy league matches will now earn approximately Rs 1.60 lakh per match. For knockout fixtures, their earnings will rise to between Rs 2.5 lakh and Rs 3 lakh per game, reflecting the increased demands and pressure associated with high-stakes matches.

Strengthening the domestic ecosystem

BCCI officials said the revised pay structure is part of a broader strategy to strengthen the domestic cricket ecosystem. By ensuring better financial rewards for players and officials, the board aims to improve performance standards, reduce attrition, and enhance professionalism at all levels of the game.

The move is also seen as a step towards aligning domestic remuneration with the growing commercial and competitive value of women’s cricket in India. Over the past few years, the women’s game has witnessed a surge in viewership, sponsorship interest, and public engagement, particularly following strong performances by the national team on the global stage.

Push towards pay equity

While the new pay structure does not yet bring complete parity with men’s domestic cricket, it is widely viewed as a major stride in that direction. Cricket analysts and former players have welcomed the decision, describing it as long overdue and essential for the long-term growth of women’s cricket.

The BCCI has previously taken steps such as introducing equal match fees for men and women representing India at the international level. The latest decision extends that philosophy deeper into the domestic structure, where the majority of players develop their skills and careers.

Conclusion

The doubling of match fees for domestic women cricketers and match officials marks a transformative moment for Indian cricket. By significantly improving earnings across senior, junior, and officiating roles, the BCCI has signalled its commitment to building a more equitable, motivated, and sustainable domestic cricket ecosystem. With better financial security now in place, women cricketers and officials are expected to benefit from enhanced opportunities, professionalism, and long-term career growth.