MUMBAI: The significance of this development cannot be overstated. The Board for Control of Cricket in India on Thursday announced it was implementing pay parity for its contracted women cricketers as that of their male counterparts.
The agreement will see women’s players at international level receive the same match fees as men across all formats – Rs 1,500,000 ($18,225) for Tests, Rs 600,000 for one-day internationals and Rs 300,000 for Twenty20 internationals.
The resolution on pay equity, made at the 15th BCCI apex council meeting held via video conference, was passed “unanimously”.
Former India women team captain Mithali Raj hailed the announcement, posting on Twitter: “The pay equity policy along with the (Women’s Indian Premier League) next year, we are ushering a new era for women’s cricket in India.”
In July, New Zealand Cricket and the country’s players’ association signed a five-year deal that will see male and female cricketers receive equal pay.
BCCI president Roger Binny said: “In our apex council meeting today, we have made a marquee decision on pay equity for our women cricketers. Our women players will be paid the same match fees as men in international cricket. This decision sets the platform to grow and develop cricket. I believe this is a significant step forward for women’s cricket and the game overall.”
BCCI secretary Jay Shah noted: “…pay equity is an important step towards tackling discrimination. The female cricketers will be paid the same match fee as their male counterparts. Test (INR 15 lakhs), ODI (INR 6 lakhs), T20I (INR 3 lakhs). This is a landmark decision as we enter a new era in India cricket. I would like to thank my colleagues in the BCCI apex council.”
BCCI vice president Rajeev Shukla opined: “A lot was spoken about the way forward for the women’s game and I believe pay equity is a step towards that direction.”
BCCI treasurer Ashish Shelar commented: “Women’s cricket is on the rise and the decision of pay equity for our women’s cricketers is another giant step in BCCI’s continuous endeavour to bolster the game.”
BCCI joint secretary Devajit Saikia added: “This landmark decision will certainly help in removing gender disparity and encourage more girls to take cricket as a profession.”
