Picture : Twitter/ BCCI
In a landmark decision, the BCCI on Thursday announced equal match fees for its centrally-contracted female and male players in a bid to promote gender equality in the country’s most popular sport.
As per the newly introduced system, the Indian women’s cricketers will now receive Rs 15 lakh per Test, Rs 6 lakh per ODI, and Rs 3 lakh per T20I, the same as their male counterparts.
Earlier, the women players received Rs one lakh each for ODIs and T20Is while the match fee for a Test match was Rs four lakh.
The decision was taken at the BCCI Apex Council emergent meeting.
BCCI President Roger Binny said, “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 said pay equity is an important step towards tackling discrimination. 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,” he said.
I’m pleased to announce @BCCI’s first step towards tackling discrimination. We are implementing pay equity policy for our contracted @BCCIWomen cricketers. The match fee for both Men and Women Cricketers will be same as we move into a new era of gender equality in 🇮🇳 Cricket. pic.twitter.com/xJLn1hCAtl
— Jay Shah (@JayShah) October 27, 2022
Batting legend Sachin Tendulkar tweeted his reaction
Cricket has been an equalizer in many ways. This is a welcome step towards gender equality in the game and erasing discrimination from the sport. 👏🏻
Very happy with the decision taken by @BCCI and brilliant to see India paving the way forward. @JayShah
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) October 27, 2022
Gautam Gambhir, BJP MP Tweeted
When you empower players, you bring out the very best in them! Pay equity is a splendid initiative. Kudos @JayShah!! 👏👏 @BCCI
— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) October 27, 2022
Earlier this year, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) had struck a deal with the country’s players’ association, which enabled the women cricketers to earn as much as the male players, while Cricket Australia (CA) is also working to do away with gender disparity. India thus became only the second country in international cricket to implement equal pay.
Bollywood Superstar Shah Rukh Khan, actresses Taapsee Pannu and Anushka Sharma have welcomed the BCCI’s landmark decision of equal match fee for its centrally-contracted female and male players in a bid to promote gender equality in cricket.
“What a good front foot shot. Sports being such an equaliser (in more ways than one) hoping it will pave the way for others to follow,” said Shah Rukh on Twitter.
What a good front foot shot. Sports being such an equaliser ( in more ways than one ) hoping it will pave the way for others to follow. https://t.co/Ko1pZpWm8z
— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) October 27, 2022
Taapsee, who played former Indian captain Mithali Raj in the 2022 film Shaabash Mithu, expressed her gratitude towards BCCI.
“A huge step towards equal pay for equal work. Thank you BCCI for leading by example,” the actor said on Twitter.
A huge step towards equal pay for equal work. Thank you BCCI for leading with example 👏🏾
— taapsee pannu (@taapsee) October 27, 2022
Taking to Instagram Stories, Anushka shared the screenshot of BCCI secretary Jay Shah’s tweet and reacted to the post with three clapping emojis. The actor is set to play former pacer Jhulan Goswami in the upcoming film Chakda Xpress.
