The upcoming edition of the T20 World Cup could be the first tournament where the implementation of the pay parity could take place. Vijay Boddupalli, sports analyst, says that women’s cricket has evolved with time. He describes the present women’s cricket as ‘an era of equality and empowerment.’
“The broadcast rights, sponsor and more no of matches are being played across all the formats. All this is because of the growing reach of women cricketers,” he says, adding that women are also playing in prestigious grounds (like Eden Gardens, Lords, etc) where men played earlier.
“Equalling women’s prize money is very rewarding because their individual match fees and benefits will also go up. There can be more national and conditioning camps that can be dedicated to development of women’s cricket,” he adds.
Women players protected
The ICC’s initiative to pay women cricketers on a par with men is a classic example of trying to close the gender gap.
And equal pay for work of equal value between genders is like a tribute to progressive thinking. Former cricketer Aarti Nalge says that during their playing days in 1990’s they did not have many benefits. At times, they never used to get match fees and travelling allowance and travel in ordinary class.
“But after BCCI took over, we started getting match fees, better access to infrastructure, more matches and sponsors, camps, etc. There are more jobs and players are travelling on flights. So there’s been a significant change in women’s cricket in the last 25 years,” Aarti comments.
She also says that back then in her days parents used to visit grounds and were worried about their daughters. “But now parents are happy that their child is in the safe hands of the BCCI. The board is protecting and safeguarding women cricketer’s lives. More matches are being played and broadcast,” says Aarti, who was also the performance analyst for Indian’s Women Cricket Team for the 2017 World Cup in England
Earlier, women cricketers lived in poverty
While the decision to have equal pay for men and women is being hailed, in work ethics, women are no less than men. And most of them qualify as fierce competitors equal to men.
Former India captain and coach Purnima Rau welcoming the decision says that it helps women’s cricket. She recalls how most of the women cricketers lived in poverty as against today’s cricketers who can earn and take care of the next three generations.
“But do women cricketers still have the capacity like a Virat Kohli to fill the stands? Are we there right up? I guess there’s still a long way to go. Right now, it’s the men that are filling the coffers but I hope women will be there soon,” Purnima comments.
S Srinivasa Reddy, BCCI NCA Level 2 Coach and Head coach for women, Andhra Cricket Association, says that women’s cricket has fallen into the groove. He adds that grounds, infrastructure and facilities for women have been on par with that of men because of the money that’s coming in.
“Now even the women’s team has an assistant coach, head coach, physiotherapist, trainer, etc.,” Srinivasa asserts, stating that now more parents are sending their daughters to make a career in cricket.
Groom more women players
Sports analyst and cricket Author Neeraj Jha hails the ICC decision as a ‘path breaker’ in women’s cricket. He adds that the decision would further inspire more cricketers to take up the sport as a profession. “I believe women are getting paid reasonably well at the moment. But also what needs to be done is groom more women into the sport, this is even more important than pumping in money. As more women enter the sport the infrastructure will be developed and the level of game can be raised,” says Neeraj.
He even cites the example of what IPL did to male cricketers. He says that all the players started showering great interest in playing IPL because of the money, so the team did not do well in test matches. “So putting money into a player’s pocket is alright but the sports authorities should also fund the respective state associations to bring and groom more women cricketers,” he explains.
‘We believed in it long back’
Andhra Cricket Association (ACA) was the first one to start a women’s academy in the entire country in 2013 in Guntur. I was the Director Of Operations for ACA back then. We believed in ‘equal pay and work’ back then itself and took the initiative. The academy served as a headquarters for the National team as well. And after 10 years ICC made it official what we believed a decade ago. It’s very heartening. What’s even great to see is around 5-6 women cricketers from Andhra played for the country. So it’s a proof of what can happen if women are given a fair share and are groomed.
MSK Prasad, former Team India cricketer, and former Chairman of Senior Selection Committee
“After BCCI took over, we started getting match fees, better access to infrastructure, more matches and sponsors, camps, etc. There are more jobs and players are travelling on flights. So there’s been a significant change in women’s cricket in the last 25 years”
Aarti Nalge
Former cricketer
“But do women cricketers still have the capacity like a Virat Kohli to fill the stands? Are we there right up? I guess there’s still a long way to go. Right now, it’s the men that are filling the coffers but I hope women will be there soon.”
Purnima Rau
Former India captain and coach
