Golden payoff: How BCCI’s equal pay transformed India's women cricket

In October 2022, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) made a landmark decision to introduce equal pay for India’s women cricketers, matching the match fees of their male counterparts

Under the floodlights at Navi Mumbai’s DY Patil Stadium, Harmanpreet Kaur leapt into the air to take the final catch that sealed India’s first-ever Women’s Cricket World Cup title.

As her teammates sprinted towards her in tears and triumph, the roar of the crowd told one story — but the real victory had begun years earlier, in a quiet BCCI boardroom.

In October 2022, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) made a landmark decision to introduce equal pay for India’s women cricketers, matching the match fees of their male counterparts.

At the time, it was hailed as revolutionary and questioned as risky.

Critics argued that women’s cricket didn’t yet generate comparable revenues from broadcast rights or ticket sales.

Some dismissed the move as symbolic rather than strategic. But the BCCI held its ground, betting on a simple idea: equality could drive excellence.

Three years later, that bet has paid off in gold.

A vision fulfilled

Following the historic win, ICC chairman Jay Shah tweeted: “The @BCCIWomen’s march towards its first @cricketworldcup has been nothing short of spectacular. Increased investment, pay parity, a revamped coaching setup, and exposure through the @wplt20 have built the foundation for this moment.”

His message reflected what insiders had long believed — that structural change, not just talent, had fueled India’s rise.

The @BCCIWomen's march towards its first @cricketworldcup has been nothing short of spectacular. While the grit, resolve and skills of the Indian team have inspired the whole nation, we must acknowledge the role of key policy decisions taken by the @BCCI - increased investment,… pic.twitter.com/rcHm5BYZZX

— Jay Shah (@JayShah) November 2, 2025

Equal pay did more than close a wage gap. It gave India’s women the security to train full-time, focus solely on cricket, and attract world-class coaches and support staff. For the first time, players didn’t have to balance passion with financial pressure.

From policy to performance

Over the past two years, the team’s transformation has been evident. Fitness levels soared, fielding standards improved, and confidence grew. Players competed not as underdogs but as equals within India’s powerful cricketing establishment.

India’s victory now joins the global conversation on gender equality in sport. The US Women’s Soccer Team fought for years to win pay parity through the courts. India’s model, where institutional faith and funding came first, has shown that equality can be the catalyst for success, not just its reward.

As one of the world’s most influential cricket boards, the BCCI’s decision sets a precedent that could ripple far beyond India.