Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has taken an important decision of filling gender pay gap between men and women’s. It announced that from now on, contracted women cricketers will be paid same match fees as of male cricketers. Declaration of new pay equity policy is the first ever introduced by the organization to balance out odd and evens in the field of bat ball. Indian cricket players applauded the consideration and welcomed it unanimously. Indian former Sachin Tendulkar is an international cricketer and tweeted regarding the same. ‘Cricket has been an equalizer in many ways. This s a welcome step towards gender equality in the game and erasing discrimination from the sport. Very happy with the decision taken by BCCI and brilliant to see India paving the way forward’, it said.
Cricket is one of the loved sports by Indians. With a team of 11 players on ground, game focuses on batting and bowling. Originated in England, it was brought by East India Company. Picked up instantly, Indians started playing it professionally, representing the country at various international games. Captain of Indian women’s cricket team, Harmanpreet Kaur tweeted, ‘Truly a red letter day for Women’s cricket in India with pay parity announced for women and men. Thank you BCCI and Jay shah.’ The game brings out unity and harmony at the stadium be it men’s cricket or women’s, says Indians.
Gunjan is receiving coaching to play under-19 trials from Delhi and has an aim to debut as an Indian international women cricket player. She said, ‘Cricket has always excited me during my childhood but soon I realized that it wasn’t a crazy hobby and I actually wanted to pursue it as a career.’ Her parents are supportive and are ready to stand beside her. They said, ‘She is in her last stage of school and we are waiting for her to complete her studies properly so that she can start her new journey. We both as parents are very proud of her and support her.’ In conversation with Gunjan’s coach, Sahil Mishra, who has played Ranji Trophy (domestic championship) commented on BCCI’s recent decision, ‘Gender equality is a required action at every field. And Cricket has become one such sport to promote it widely. BCCI’s decision to eradicate gender pay gap in cricket and to pay same match fees to every player should be acknowledged by every sport department in India and across the world.’
Coach Sahil discussed how important it is for players to enjoy equal monetary benefits for their performances, with EAT news. He said, ‘For a player it is very important to receive monetary and non-monetary benefits, as per their performances. Setting a pay scale according to the gender is always a wrong suggestion and should be neglected. Indians are hesitant to allow their children to pursue sports as their career and salary packages are always an influential aspect in choosing it. In such case, passing a new resolution for Indian women cricket is a turning point for many young ones and parents.’ BCCI secretary Jay Shah shared this development via official social media handle and tweeted, ‘I am pleased to announce BCCI’s first step towards tackling discrimination. We are implementing a pay equity policy for our contracted women cricketers. The match fee both men and women cricketers will be the same as we move into a new era of gender equality in Indian cricket.’
Sports have always been reviewed as a male dominated field in India. And not keeping up with the kind of discrimination specific gender face is anticipated. ‘For instance, Indian women cricket team does not get the same camera attention, men cricket team gets. They get to play less matches, comparatively and are offered fewer opportunities to enter this field’, said coach Sahil. He also believes that multiple endorsements compensate players’ monetary funds. According to the information, Indian cricketer Virat Kohli tops the list and earns $31 million by endorsements whereas Rohit Sharma (current captain) is the second Indian cricketer at third position with $900 k. But sadly, lack of popularity makes it difficult for women cricketers to grab any such opportunity.
On asking does he think, pay equity policy will pave the way for future women players and young girls, Coach Sahil said, ‘Definitely. I am a coach to number of girls who are dreaming to play for India and are not thinking about monetary funds. But, it is our duty to not discriminate between men and women players and treat them differently. Representing a country globally is a proud feeling and not providing an equal stage to both the genders is like we are not respecting them enough.’ He further added that BCCI’s decision will uplift confidence of Indian women cricket players. It is a change that every women player wants but never demands.
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