Mumbai: The Indian women’s cricket team has become the pride of the nation after scripting history with their first-ever ICC Women’s World Cup victory, defeating South Africa by 52 runs in a thrilling final at Navi Mumbai’s DY Patil Stadium. The win ended India’s long wait for an ICC title and marked a turning point for women’s cricket in the country.
As the celebrations continue, attention has turned to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the annual salary structure for the nation’s top female cricketers. With women’s cricket gaining unprecedented attention and commercial support, many fans are eager to understand how much India’s World Cup heroes earn.
BCCI Annual Player Retainership 2024–25: Three-Tier Salary Structure for Women
According to the BCCI’s Annual Player Retainership 2024–25 (Team India – Senior Women) released on March 24, 2025, the contracts are divided into three categories — A, B, and C.
- Grade A (₹50 lakh annually):
Harmanpreet Kaur (Captain), Smriti Mandhana, Deepti Sharma - Grade B (₹30 lakh annually):
Renuka Thakur, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh, Shafali Verma - Grade C (₹10 lakh annually):
Radha Yadav, Amanjot Kaur, Uma Chetry, Sneh Rana, and five other players
As per ESPN Cricinfo, the retainership amounts are annual fixed salaries, paid irrespective of the number of matches played. The grading is determined by consistent performance, fitness, and contribution to the national side.
Comparison with BCCI Men’s Team Contracts
For comparison, the BCCI’s Annual Player Retainership 2024–25 (Team India – Senior Men) — released on April 21, 2025 — features four categories with significantly higher annual salaries:
- Grade A+ – ₹7 crore
- Grade A – ₹5 crore
- Grade B – ₹3 crore
- Grade C – ₹1 crore
While the men’s cricketers command much higher retainership figures, both the men’s and women’s teams receive equal match fees — a move that marked a major step toward pay parity in Indian cricket.
Equal Match Fees for Men and Women Cricketers
The BCCI announced in 2022 that it would implement equal match fees for both genders — a historic reform that took effect in the 2023–24 season. Under this policy, both men and women receive the following amounts per international match:
- Test Match: ₹15 lakh per match
- ODI: ₹6 lakh per match
- T20I: ₹3 lakh per match
This decision was widely praised for promoting gender equality in Indian cricket. However, the overall income disparity remains, since the men’s team plays many more international matches each year compared to the women’s schedule.
Women’s Cricket: On the Rise
The 2025 World Cup win has further accelerated discussions about improving the financial ecosystem for women’s cricket in India. Players like Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana have become household names, with growing endorsements and visibility.
With record-breaking viewership and sponsorships pouring in, cricket experts believe it’s the right moment for the BCCI to revisit the retainership slabs and bring them closer to men’s cricket, reflecting the sport’s growing popularity among Indian audiences.
India’s Historic World Cup Win: A Moment to Remember
In the final match at DY Patil Stadium, India’s bowlers and batters displayed exceptional skill and composure to defeat an in-form South African side by 52 runs. The victory not only ended India’s ICC title drought but also marked a defining moment in women’s sports.
As the team returns home to a hero’s welcome, the spotlight is now on how this triumph could reshape the future of women’s cricket, from grassroots funding to professional compensation.