In a move that promises to change the face of Indian cricket, the BCCI has announced a massive increase in match fees for women cricketers and domestic officials. This historic decision, approved by the Board’s Apex Council, comes as a direct response to India’s maiden ODI World Cup victory.
By more than doubling the existing pay, the BCCI aims to create a fairer and more professional environment for those who form the backbone of the sport.
For senior women cricketers, the financial jump is life-changing. Previously, players earned ₹20,000 per day; under the new rules, those in the playing XI will now receive ₹50,000 per day for multi-day and one-day tournaments. Reserve players have also seen their earnings rise to ₹25,000 per day.
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In the T20I format, the fee has been set at ₹25,000 for the starting XI. BCCI officials estimate that a dedicated domestic player featuring in all formats can now earn a comfortable annual salary of ₹12 lakh to ₹14 lakh.
The “New Year Gift” extends beyond the senior teams. The BCCI has also significantly boosted the pay for junior cricketers in the Under-23 and Under-19 categories. These young athletes will now earn ₹25,000 per day in the playing XI, with reserves receiving ₹12,500.
This ensures that talent is nurtured and financially supported from a young age, encouraging more girls to pursue cricket as a full-time career.
Finally, the officials who manage the game—umpires and match referees—are also getting richer. Umpires will now earn ₹40,000 per day for league matches, while high-stakes knockout games can fetch them up to ₹60,000 per day.
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For example, an umpire officiating a full Ranji Trophy league game could now earn around ₹1.60 lakh. By strengthening the financial security of players and officials alike, the BCCI is ensuring that the domestic cricket ecosystem remains robust, motivated, and ready to produce the next generation of world champions.