Cricket has always been more than just a sport in India—it’s a passion that unites millions. But behind the cheers, trophies, and rising viewership, there lies an ongoing debate that continues to gain attention — the salary gap between India’s men’s and women’s cricket teams. Despite several advancements toward equality, the numbers still tell a different story. Let’s break it down with Spin24star, your destination for in-depth cricket insights and updates.
The Indian women’s cricket team currently finds itself struggling in the 2025 Women’s World Cup, hosted on home soil. After three consecutive defeats to South Africa, Australia, and England, their chances of making the semifinals appear slim. The performance gap between the men’s and women’s teams has sparked renewed discussion — especially considering that the men’s team reached the 2023 World Cup final, playing dominant cricket throughout the tournament.
Back in October 2022, then BCCI secretary Jay Shah made headlines by announcing equal match fees for both men and women cricketers. This was hailed as a historic moment — a significant step toward bridging gender pay inequality in Indian sports. Under this new structure, players receive ₹15 lakh for Tests, ₹6 lakh for ODIs, and ₹3 lakh for T20Is, regardless of gender. This move aligned India with global standards, reflecting the cricket board’s commitment to fairness.
Adding to this positive momentum, the ICC increased the total prize pool for the 2025 Women’s World Cup to USD 13.88 million, surpassing even the USD 10 million offered for the 2023 Men’s World Cup. The announcement was celebrated worldwide, symbolizing growing recognition for women’s cricket.
However, the equality narrative begins to weaken when one looks beyond match fees and prize pools — particularly at BCCI’s central contracts. The men’s team enjoys a four-tier contract system:
Grade Annual Salary A+ ₹7 crore A ₹5 crore B ₹3 crore C ₹1 crore Meanwhile, the women’s contract system consists of only three grades, and the gap is significant:
Grade Annual Salary A ₹50 lakh B ₹30 lakh C ₹10 lakh This means a Grade A woman cricketer earns less than the lowest-ranked male player, who takes home ₹1 crore annually. Despite the equal match fees, the difference in contract values reflects how far the journey toward true parity still remains.
The disparity becomes even more striking in franchise cricket. The Indian Premier League (IPL), known for its massive global following, offers staggering contracts to male players. Rishabh Pant, for instance, tops the chart with a ₹27 crore deal. In contrast, Smriti Mandhana, one of the most prominent faces of Indian women’s cricket and the highest-paid player in the Women’s Premier League (WPL), earns ₹3.4 crore — roughly nine times less than Pant’s salary.
This difference cannot simply be attributed to performance or skill — both tournaments draw immense audiences, and female cricketers are beginning to enjoy a surge in popularity, sponsorship, and fan engagement. With rising viewership figures, the WPL has already proven that women’s cricket can generate commercial success when given the right platform.
At Spin24star, where sports excellence meets insightful analysis, this pay gap opens a conversation that goes beyond cricket. It’s about creating a level playing field where recognition and reward reflect dedication and talent, not gender. The growing fan base, brand endorsements, and media attention for women’s cricket indicate that the market is ready for change.
As India’s women cricketers continue to inspire millions, the call for fair pay grows stronger. The progress made with equal match fees was a monumental first step, but true equality will only come when both men and women receive fair value for their contribution to the sport.
In conclusion, the difference in central contracts and franchise earnings highlights that the journey toward financial equality in cricket is still underway. But with rising interest, support from fans, and platforms like Spin24star spotlighting these conversations, the future looks brighter for women’s cricket in India. The stage is set — it’s time the numbers reflect the spirit of the game.