The salary of Indian women cricketers has evolved significantly, reflecting progress toward gender pay parity and recognition for their remarkable contributions to cricket. As of 2025, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has introduced structured annual contracts, equal match fees, and lucrative franchise league salaries that highlight the growing status of women’s cricket in India.
Understanding the Salary Structure of Indian Women Cricketers
The BCCI categorizes Indian women cricketers into three grades based on their contracts:
- Grade A: ₹50 lakh per year
- Grade B: ₹30 lakh per year
- Grade C: ₹10 lakh per year
This tiered salary system ensures that top players like Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur receive appropriate retainership, while emerging players are fairly compensated for their contributions.
Match Fees Equal Across Genders
In a landmark move, the BCCI has equalized match fees for both men and women. For every game played internationally, women cricketers earn:
- Test Match: ₹15 lakh per match
- ODI: ₹6 lakh per match
- T20I: ₹3 lakh per match
This policy embodies the principle of equal pay for equal work and motivates female cricketers to continue raising their performance levels on the global stage.
The Central Contract Conundrum: The Annual Retainer Gap
While match fees achieved parity, the annual retainer contracts awarded by the BCCI still show a significant financial disparity. These central contracts are paid regardless of matches played, offering security and recognizing a player’s standing in the national team.
The women’s team is divided into three grades (A, B, C), while the men’s team has four (A+, A, B, C).
BCCI Annual Central Contracts (2024-2025 Cycle)
| Grade | Women’s Retainer (₹) | Men’s Retainer (₹) | The Multiplier Gap |
| A | ₹50 Lakh | ₹5 Crore | 10x |
| B | ₹30 Lakh | ₹3 Crore | 10x |
| C | ₹10 Lakh | ₹1 Crore | 10x |
| A+ | Not Applicable | ₹7 Crore | N/A |
The disparity is stark. A player in the lowest men’s Grade C (₹1 Crore) still earns double the retainer of the highest-paid women’s Grade A player (₹50 Lakh). This structural gap is the primary reason the overall Salary of Indian Women Cricketer remains significantly lower than that of the men’s team, despite the equal match fees.
Highest Paid Stars: Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur
Two icons leading women’s cricket not just on the field but financially are Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur.
- Smriti Mandhana holds a Grade A BCCI contract worth ₹50 lakh annually, augmented by her ₹3.4 crore annual salary as captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Women’s Premier League (WPL). Off the field, she has endorsement deals with brands like Hyundai, Nike, and Red Bull, which add substantially to her income.
- Harmanpreet Kaur, captain of the Indian women’s team and Mumbai Indians in the WPL, earns ₹50 lakh through the BCCI contract and ₹1.8 crore per season in franchise earnings. She also holds roles like Deputy Superintendent of Police, enhancing her income portfolio.
Comparisons and Future Outlook
While women’s salaries have seen remarkable growth, a significant gap persists compared to the men’s side. For example, Grade A men earn ₹5 crore annually vs ₹50 lakh for women. Franchise salaries and endorsements also present vast differences due to market dynamics, but narrowing the gap remains a priority for the sport’s growth.
The increasing popularity of women’s cricket, bolstered by stellar performances and media coverage, is expected to push sponsorship and salary levels even higher in the coming years, further empowering women athletes.
