From £1,000 match fees to equal wages: Mithali Raj reflects on the cricket journey of Indian women
Former Indian women’s cricket team captain Misari Large It gave us a fascinating glimpse into the difficult yet victorious journey of Indian women’s cricket.
Misari Raj throws light into the early struggles of Indian women’s team
Recently appeared at Lallantop’s show “Newsroom Guest” Raj announced the harsh reality faced by female cricketers in an age when national representatives provide almost financial rewards and basic amenities are distant dreams. Her honest reflection highlights the incredible transformations that sport has undergone, leading to the current landscape of wage equality.
Raj vividly recalls a time when Indian female cricketers endured difficult situations, such as traveling through common train plots due to severe financial support and awareness. There was no central contract and the coincidence fees were virtually unprecedented. “We didn’t receive the game fees because there was little money in the sport. Even the association had no funds, so what can players expect?” Raj said, highlighting the deep-rooted financial constraints. The range of these difficulties was portrayed very much after India’s runner-up in the 2005 Women’s Cricket World Cup. Despite their admirable performances, each player received just £1,000 per match, worth just £8,000 for the entire eight-match tournament. Raj pointed out that the Indian Cricket Committee (BCCI) only introduced the annual contract much later.
BCCI Equal Wage Policy
The turning point arrived when the BCCI merged women’s cricket within its range. This pivotal move has begun a gradual but significant improvement in financial position. Initially, players began to receive payments per series, but later evolved into per match rewards, marking the early stages of greater professionalism within the sport.
Over the next few years, the BCCI implemented several progressive measures aimed at promoting gender equity in cricket. The introduction of a central contract was a critical step, followed by consistent efforts to coordinate facilities and rewards for both male and female teams. The implementation of equal match fees has achieved monumental milestones, allowing male and female cricketers to receive the same reward: £15 in Test matches, £6 in ODI and 3 easy in T20 International. This groundbreaking decision signifies a much-anticipated era of equality and recognition in India’s cricket.
The consistent and powerful performances of Indian women’s teams on the international stage have also been translated into greater rewards. After their second runner-up at the 2017 ODI World Cup, each player was awarded £50 Lakh by the BCCI and additional cash incentives from various state governments. Misari, who captained the team during this successful campaign, was directly attributing these advances to an increase in focus and support from the post-BCCI acquisition.
Read again: Sachin Tendulkar wins in the UK in the historic twin series of Indian women
This article was first published womencricket.coma Cricket time company.