BCCI has made a commendable move to ensure that the payment gap for Indian cricketers is addressed to some extent, as it has increased the rates for female cricketers to more than double their previous reward for matches played. This news has come after their victory in the ODI World Cup, as they have finally achieved a level-playing field.
Now, the top women cricket players plying their trade in domestic events will take home between Rs 50,000 and Rs 60,000 per day, a stupendous increase from the previous payment of Rs 20,000 per day (Rs 10,000 for reserves). For the one-day and two-day events involving the top women’s side, players in the XI will get Rs 50,000 per day, while reserves will get Rs 25,000. Similarly, in the national T20 events, the payment rate per day has been set at Rs 25,000 for the XI players and Rs 12,500 for reserves.
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The implications on the purse strings, however, are significant. According to representatives at BCCI, a leading domestic woman cricketer’s presence in different formats over the course of a year can result in earnings between Rs 12 lakhs to 14 lakhs. This goes on to show that domestic performances are finally being recognized in a concrete fashion.
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However, the hike doesn’t end there. Young women cricketers, under the U-23 and U-19 age groups, will also receive benefits, with match fees ranging from Rs 25,000 to Rs 12,500 for reserve players. It seems like this step is also going towards increasing the talent base, so that young women cricketers feel that the administration is backing them.
Referees in charge of umpires, as well as match referees in the league games, would also get a significant increase in their remuneration package. The umpires and match referees would now be paid Rs 40,000 per day. For the knockout matches, the advance would range from Rs 50,000 to Rs 60,000 per day depending upon the intensity of the match. Therefore, the umpires in the league match of the Ranji Trophy would receive around Rs 1.60 lakh per match, whereas the knockout match would give them around Rs 2.5 lakh to Rs 3 lakh.
The BCCI is confident that their new compensation package will give more financial security and incentives to women cricketers as well as domestic-level officials alike. In fact, it goes a long way in strengthening Indian cricket, signifying that their performances, at any level, are worthy of recognition and reward, irrespective of whether they are male or female or in which position.