In a landmark decision that is being hailed across the cricketing community, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced a major hike in match fees for domestic women cricketers, providing a significant boost to the future of women’s cricket in the country.
The announcement, which came just ahead of Christmas, has brought widespread joy among women players, many of whom rely heavily on domestic cricket for their livelihood and professional growth.
📌 Decision Approved at Apex Council Meeting
The proposal to revise match fees was presented and approved at the BCCI Apex Council meeting held on Monday, December 22. Under the new structure, match fees for domestic women players have been increased by nearly two and a half times, marking the biggest revision in recent years.
This move is expected to not only improve players’ financial stability but also encourage more young girls to pursue cricket as a full-time professional career.
💰 Big Jump in Match Fees
Under the previous system, players who were part of the playing XI in senior women’s domestic tournaments earned ₹20,000 per day. This amount has now been increased to ₹50,000 per day, a substantial rise that reflects the growing importance of women’s cricket in India.
The BCCI has also ensured that reserve players are not ignored, with their match fees revised upwards as well, offering better support to the entire squad.
📈 Significant Rise in Seasonal Earnings
Earlier, a senior women cricketer would earn around ₹2 lakh per domestic season, even if her team played only the league stage. With the new fee structure in place, players’ total seasonal earnings are set to rise sharply, providing much-needed financial security.
🌍 Women’s Cricket on the Rise
The decision comes at a time when women’s cricket is witnessing rapid growth in popularity across India. During Jay Shah’s tenure, the BCCI introduced several progressive measures to strengthen the women’s game, many of which have already started showing results on the international stage.
Under the leadership of current BCCI President Mithun Manhas, the board appears committed to taking women’s cricket to the next level by investing in player welfare and long-term development.
🔁 Biggest Revision Since 2021
The last revision of match fees for women cricketers took place in 2021, when senior players’ fees were raised from ₹12,500 to ₹20,000. The current increase is the largest since then, underlining the BCCI’s serious and long-term approach towards the growth of women’s cricket.
