BCCI Secretary Jay Shah announces equal pay for men and women cricketers

India-W were the Asia Cup 2022 winners [Source: Twitter/@JayShah]

In a wonderful development from the Secretary of the Board of Cricket Control in India, Jay Shah has announced the implementation of 'Pay Equity Policy' where women cricketers will be paid the same match fee as their male counterparts. The decision was taken in tandem with the Apex Council. 

Shah had committed to the Indian women's team equal pay and delivered on the same. 

The pay scale  

According to the secretary male and female cricketers both will be paid the following match fees:

• Test - INR 15 lakhs 
• ODI - INR 6 lakhs 
• T20I - INR 3 lakhs 

Foreign boards on equal pay

New Zealand Cricket was the first board to implement equal pay, along with maternity benefits and more. Cricket Australia has minimised the pay-scale gap but still have a long way to go. Pakistan Cricket Board have an expansive maternity policy. 

BCCI is only the second board to offer equal pay, even though Indian cricket doesn't have an extensive policy on maternity or paternity benefits, this is a huge step towards eliminating discrimination. All praise goes out towards Jay Shah and the Apex Council for their support towards Women's Cricket. 

The board has also shown their willingness to uplift women's cricket by announcing a full fledged Women's Indian Premier League. The WIPL will take place in March 2023 and the players draft is likely to take place later this year. 

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