The Board of Control for Cricket in India has taken a decisive step by more than doubling match fees for women’s domestic cricketers. Senior women players in first XIs will now earn INR 50,000 per match day, up from INR 20,000. Reserves will receive INR 25,000 per day. This revision marks the most significant financial correction in the women’s domestic structure to date.
For years, domestic women’s cricket operated on limited financial support. Players often balanced cricket with education or employment. The revised pay structure acknowledges the time, physical demand, and professional commitment required at the domestic level.
This move places domestic cricket closer to a sustainable career path. It also signals that women’s cricket is no longer viewed as a feeder activity, but as a professional ecosystem deserving of investment like the IPL.
Why India’s ODI World Cup win accelerated change?
India’s maiden ICC Women’s ODI World Cup triumph acted as a catalyst. Success on the global stage forced administrators to confront domestic realities. Elite performance cannot exist without strong foundations.
The World Cup victory showcased depth, fitness, and mental strength. Those qualities are shaped in domestic tournaments. With public attention and internal momentum aligning, the timing became unavoidable.
BCCI’s decision reflects recognition that elite success must be rewarded structurally, not just celebrated symbolically. The fee revision is part of a broader shift towards aligning outcomes with investment.
Age-group cricket sees its biggest financial jump
The most transformative change lies at the junior level. Players in age-group first XIs will now earn INR 25,000 per day, while reserves receive INR 12,500. Earlier, those figures stood at INR 10,000 and INR 5,000 respectively.
Across a full season, earnings now rise from just over INR 2 lakh to nearly INR 5 lakh. This jump matters deeply. It reduces early dropout rates and reassures families that cricket can be taken seriously as a career.
With India winning back-to-back ICC Women’s Under-19 World Cup titles, participation has surged. Financial stability at this level ensures talent retention, not just discovery.
The WPL effect on domestic valuation
The Women’s Premier League has fundamentally changed how domestic women cricketers are perceived. The league has expanded visibility, professionalism, and expectations.
State coaches and players have repeatedly highlighted how WPL exposure sharpened domestic competition. With franchises scouting aggressively, domestic performances now carry direct economic consequences.
BCCI’s fee hike aligns domestic cricket with the WPL pipeline. It ensures that players preparing for franchise opportunities receive financial support during their development stages.
Parity milestones and remaining gaps
In 2022, BCCI achieved a landmark by equalising match fees for the Indian men’s and women’s national teams. Test, ODI, and T20I fees now match across genders.
However, central contracts remain unequal. The highest women’s contract stands at INR 50 lakh, still below the men’s lowest grade. While domestic fees have progressed, this gap highlights unfinished work.
The current revision strengthens the argument for future contract restructuring. Domestic sustainability is often the first indicator of systemic intent.
What does this mean for state associations?
Higher match fees increase responsibility at the state level. Associations must now provide better facilities, scheduling, and medical support. Pay alone cannot elevate standards.
This change also pressures states to run competitive leagues, manage workloads effectively, and maintain high coaching quality. With greater investment comes higher expectations.
Over time, states that adapt quickly will produce deeper squads and benefit more from national selection pathways.
Retention, not just recruitment, of talent
One of the silent challenges in women’s cricket has been attrition. Many promising players leave the Under-19 level and transition to the senior level due to financial uncertainty.
The revised structure directly targets this gap. Stable earnings reduce dependency on external employment, allowing players to focus on fitness, recovery, and skill development.
This shift could have the biggest long-term impact, creating continuity rather than constant rebuilding.
A structural signal, not a symbolic gesture
This decision was made at a BCCI Apex Council meeting in Mumbai, underscoring its institutional backing. It is not a temporary incentive or reactionary move.
Administrators consulted coaches and players across states. The outcome reflects internal consensus rather than external pressure. That distinction matters for sustainability.
The move positions domestic women’s cricket as a strategic priority within India’s long-term planning for cricket.
Conclusion: the foundation finally strengthens
The doubling of match fees represents more than a financial update. It is a philosophical shift. Women’s domestic cricket in India is being treated as an investment, not an obligation.
With international success, WPL growth, and youth dominance aligning, the ecosystem now has structural support to sustain momentum. The pathway from junior cricket to international honours looks clearer than ever.
The next step will be to ensure that contracts, infrastructure, and scheduling evolve at the same pace. But for now, this pay rise marks a defining moment in the professionalisation of women’s cricket in India.
