The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will discuss a long-awaited revision of match fees for women cricketers during its 31st Apex Council meeting on December 22, which is likely to be held virtually at around 7pm. The move comes in the wake of India’s historic women’s ODI World Cup triumph, which strengthened calls for improved financial support and structural parity in domestic cricket.
While the BCCI has already implemented pay parity between men and women at the international level, significant disparities persist in domestic competitions. The revision of women’s domestic payments is listed as Item No. 2 on the agenda and is expected to be one of the key points of deliberation.
As per the last revision in 2021, senior women’s domestic cricketers receive Rs 20,000 per one-day match (up from Rs 12,500), while players in the U23, U19, and U15 categories are paid Rs 10,000 per match, with reserves earning 50 per cent of the fee. Since the senior women’s zonal red-ball tournament has also resumed, its pay structure is expected to be reviewed as part of the overhaul.
Currently, the highest women’s contract is Rs 50 lakh, followed by slabs of Rs 30 lakh and Rs 10 lakh, figures that remain significantly lower than even the lowest men’s category (Grade C at Rs 1 crore).
The meeting will also assess the annual player retainership contracts for the men’s team. The grading of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will be closely monitored, as both stalwarts have now retired from two formats (Tests and T20Is) and are exclusively involved in the 50-over format.
With Shubman Gill taking over as Test captain, ODI captain and T20I vice-captain, his placement in the new contract cycle will also be noteworthy. Gill is likely to make the cut for the A+ category, the highest in the gradings.
Another important agenda item is the proposed revision of match fees for umpires and match referees, which the BCCI is expected to finalise during Friday’s meeting. Updates on BCCI’s digital properties are also scheduled for review.
This will be the first Apex Council meeting since the election of the new office-bearers on September 28.