Indian cricket's historic move: Men, women cricketers to get equal match fees

In a historic move, Jay Shah, the secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Thursday (27) announced that the country's women cricketers will get the same match fee as their male counterparts as the board took measures towards tackling alleged discrimination.

In a series of tweets, the official said the board is implementing a pay equity policy for the women players under contract.

"I’m pleased to announce BCCI’s first step towards tackling discrimination. We are implementing pay equity policy for our contracted BCCI Women cricketers. The match fee for both Men and Women Cricketers will be the same as we move into a new era of gender equality in Indian Cricket," Shah tweeted.

"The BCCI Women cricketers will be paid the same match fee as their male counterparts. Test (INR 15 lakhs), ODI (INR 6 lakhs), T20I (INR 3 lakhs). Pay equity was my commitment to our women cricketers and I thank the Apex Council for their support. Jai Hind," he added.

INR 15 lakh are equal to £15,120; INR six lakh are equal to £6,288; and INR three lakh are equal to £3,144.

Former India captain Mithali Raj lauded the decision, saying: "This is a historic decision for women’s cricket in India! The pay equity policy along with the WIPL next year, we are ushering into a new era for women's cricket in India. Thank you Jay Shah Sir and the BCCI for making this happen. Really happy today."

The BCCI recently approved to conduct the Women's Indian Premier League (WIPL) from next year onwards.

The India women's team reclaimed its record seventh Asia Cup crown recently after beating England 3-0 in a one-day international in their country. They also clinched their first-ever silver medal at the Commonwealth Games this year.