Cricket in India has evolved into more than just a sport; it has become an emotion. For many, the spotlight in cricket was on men, but as time has changed, even women are leading in cricket and have gained the spotlight. The Indian women's cricket team salary is proof that women have gained dominance. This shows us how women's cricket has grown stronger and is more respected over the years. Right from filling the stadium with their fantastic performance and breaking world records even they have gained a considerable fan following and the cheers from the public. They have also proved to the world that they do deserve equal applause and pay as men do. So let's travel deep down the blog to know more about the structure of the Indian Women Cricket Team Salary.
Rise of Women's Cricket in India
The journey of women's cricket has been quite inspiring. Decades ago, no one was aware of the existence of women's cricket teams in India. So what happened after a decade that made the women's cricket team enter headlines?
It is the 2017 ICC Women's World Cup final, which was considered the turning point in the history of women's cricket. It changed the view of people regarding women's cricket. Moreover, players like Smriti Mandhana, Harmanpreet Kaur, and Mithali Raj are the players who have become household names in Indian cricket, showcasing power, confidence, and consistency that made them role models for the young girls across the nation.
How BCCI Transformed Women's Cricket?
The BCCI has played a vital role in shaping women's cricket. In recent years, the board has decided to introduce equal match fees for both men and women. This means that there is an improvement in the salary structure of the female players. However, the Indian women's cricket team's salary is now divided into categories based on player contracts, which decide how each player earns annually.
Indian Women's Cricket Team Salary
A few years ago, the pay range between the men and the women was massive. But things have changed for the better; now the BCCI has introduced an equal pay scale for both men and women. And this has inspired many young girls to take up the sport professionally.
The salary structure for Indian women players is divided into three grades by the BCCI.
Grade A – ₹50 lakh per year
Grade B – ₹30 lakh per year
Grade C – ₹10 lakh per year
Apart from this, players also earn match fees,
Test match – ₹15 lakh per match
ODI – ₹6 lakh per match
T20I – ₹3 lakh per match
Players like Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, and Deepti Sharma are categorised in Grade A. Players like Renuka Thakur and Jemimah Rodrigues are added to the Grade B group with three other players. Sneh Rana and Yastika Bhatia, along with other teammates, are added to Grade C.
Highest Earners in the Indian Women's Cricket Team
Harmanpreet Kaur
Harmanpreet Kaur is an Indian cricketer who captains the Indian women's cricket team in all formats of the game. She is known for her fearless batting and all-rounder skills. In the year 2018, she became the first woman from India to score a century in a women's T20 International match. She is the only Indian women's cricketer to score more than 3000 runs in T20Is, making her one of the richest cricketers in Indian women's cricket.
Smriti Mandhana
Smithi Mandhana is an Indian international cricketer and the vice-captain of the national team. She is known as one of the most stylish left-hand batters, and also one of the most popular athletes globally, after Harmanpreet Kaur, who has the second most international and ODI centuries. She has scored the second most runs in the T20I and also the most fifty-plus scores in the format. She is also the first Indian woman to score centuries in all formats.
Deepti Sharma
Deepti Sharma Indian cricketer who plays for Uttar Pradesh, UP Warriorz, London Spirit, and India. She is an all-rounder who bats left-handed and bowls right-arm off break. She is a dependable all-rounder who continues to shine across all formats.
Impact of the Women's Premier League in Cricket
The Women's Premier League has played a significant role in shaping the history of cricket. It has also provided a platform to display their talents. Even with the rising TV deals, sponsorships, and social media attention, women's cricket has become one of the fastest-growing sports segments in India. It has even made sure that the women's cricket team. They have even proven that women players now have a strong financial foundation and recognition equal to their male rivals in the game.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Indian Women's Cricket Team Salary
What Is the Current Annual Salary of Indian Women Cricketers?
The annual salary is divided into three grades: ₹50 lakh for the Grade A players, ₹30 lakh for the Grade B players, and ₹10 lakh for the Grade C players.
Who Is the Highest-Paid Indian Women's Cricketer?
Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur are among the highest-paid Indian women cricketers.
How Has the Women's Premier League Helped Indian Women Cricketers?
The WPL has helped increase earnings, exposure, and recognition for players by bringing them into the spotlight on a global stage.
The Indian women's cricket team's salary story is one of transformation, equality, and empowerment. From struggling to be recognisable to earning the same match fees as men, the journey has been remarkable. India's future in women's cricket looks brighter than ever.
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