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Former Indian women’s cricket team captain Mithali Raj has offered a compelling glimpse into the arduous yet ultimately triumphant journey of women’s cricket in India.
Mithali Raj throws light on Indian women’s team’s early struggles
In a recent appearance on The Lallantop’s show “Guest In The Newsroom,” Raj unveiled the stark realities faced by female cricketers in an era where national representation offered little financial reward and basic amenities were a distant dream. Her candid reflections underscore the remarkable transformation the sport has undergone, culminating in the current landscape of pay parity.
Raj vividly recalled a time when Indian women cricketers endured challenging conditions, including travelling in general train compartments due to a severe lack of financial support and recognition. Central contracts were non-existent, and match fees were virtually unheard of. “We didn’t get match fees because there was hardly any money in the sport. Even the associations didn’t have funds, so what could the players expect?” Raj stated, highlighting the deep-seated financial constraints. The extent of these hardships was starkly illustrated following India’s runner-up finish in the 2005 Women’s Cricket World Cup. Despite their commendable performance, each player received a mere ₹1,000 per match, amounting to a paltry ₹8,000 for the entire eight-match tournament. Raj noted that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) only introduced annual contracts much later.
BCCI’s equal pay policy
The turning point arrived when the BCCI integrated women’s cricket under its purview. This pivotal move initiated a gradual but significant improvement in financial conditions. Initially, players began receiving payments per series, which later evolved into per-match remuneration, marking the nascent stages of greater professionalism within the sport.
Over the subsequent years, the BCCI implemented several progressive measures aimed at fostering gender equity in cricket. The introduction of central contracts was a crucial step, followed by consistent efforts to align facilities and rewards for both men’s and women’s teams. A monumental milestone was achieved with the implementation of equal match fees, ensuring that male and female cricketers now receive identical remuneration: ₹15 lakh for a Test match, ₹6 lakh for an ODI and ₹3 lakh for a T20 International. This landmark decision signifies a long-awaited era of equality and recognition in Indian cricket.
The Indian women’s team’s consistent strong performances on the international stage also translated into greater rewards. After their second runner-up finish in the 2017 ODI World Cup, each player was awarded ₹50 lakh by the BCCI, with additional cash incentives from various state governments. Mithali, who captained the team during this successful campaign, attributed these advancements directly to the increased focus and support from the BCCI post-takeover.
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This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
