Chandigarh, Nov 3: Under the floodlights of DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, the ball hung in the air for a breath too long. Harmanpreet Kaur steadied herself, eyes fixed on its descent. When it thudded into her palms, India were world champions.
As her teammates ran toward her in disbelief, laughter, and tears, few in the stands realised that this triumph began far away from the pitch — in a BCCI boardroom three years earlier.
In October 2022, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) made a landmark decision — to grant equal match fees to women cricketers. From that day, India’s women would earn ₹15 lakh for a Test, ₹6 lakh for an ODI, and ₹3 lakh for a T20 — the same as their male counterparts.
It was a decision that arrived quietly but reverberated loudly. Some called it revolutionary, others premature. Skeptics questioned whether women’s cricket generated enough revenue to justify parity. But the board held its ground, believing equality could drive excellence — not follow it.
Three years later, that belief paid off — in gold.
With financial security and infrastructure, India’s women began training like professionals, not aspirants. The Women’s Premier League soon amplified their exposure, drawing sponsorships and confidence.
“It changed how we saw ourselves,” said an official from the team’s support staff. “When the system values you equally, you start valuing your game more.”
The shift was visible. Fielding sharpened, fitness improved, and aggression replaced hesitation. No longer the underdogs, they played as equals — within a system that finally treated them as such.
After India’s World Cup victory, ICC chairman Jay Shah tweeted, “Increased investment, pay parity, a revamped coaching setup, and exposure through the WPL built the foundation for this moment.”
Equal pay wasn’t only about money — it was about dignity. It told every player who carried the Indian flag that she represented her country not as a symbol of progress but as its equal.
The ripple spread beyond cricket. In a country where gender parity often lags behind talent, the decision proved that equality isn’t sentiment — it’s structure. It’s belief written into policy.
As confetti drifted over Mumbai that night, India’s women cricketers didn’t just lift a trophy — they lifted a promise fulfilled. For years they were asked to prove they deserved equal pay. Now, they had shown the world that equal pay could deliver something even greater — victory itself.
