The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has made a substantial move towards enhancing women’s and junior cricket by declaring monetary rewards for the Player of the Match and Player of the Tournament in all domestic contests. This thrilling advancement, announced by BCCI Secretary Jay Shah on his social media account X (formerly Twitter), is expected to transform domestic cricket in India.
By initiating these rewards, the BCCI seeks to not only honor remarkable performances by players but also to uplift their self-assurance by recognizing their remarkable contributions on the pitch. This program acts as a stimulus that could enhance the quality of domestic cricket, encouraging further players to excel in the competitive field.
The 2024-25 Indian domestic season for women’s cricket is scheduled to commence with the Senior Women’s T20 Trophy on 17th October. Following this, the Senior Women’s T20 Challenger Trophy, Senior Women’s One Day Trophy, Senior Women’s One Day Challenger Trophy, and the Senior Women’s Multiday Trophy are set to feature prominently, promising an exhilarating season ahead.
Jay Shah conveyed his excitement for the initiative, stating, “We are launching monetary rewards for the Player of the Match and Player of the Tournament in all Women’s and Junior Cricket competitions under our Domestic Cricket Programme. Furthermore, financial rewards will be given for the Player of the Match in the Vijay Hazare and Syed Mushtaq Ali tournaments for Senior Men.”
He went on to add, “This initiative is designed to acknowledge and reward exceptional performances in the domestic circuit. A sincere thank you to the Apex Council for their steadfast support in this mission. Together, we are cultivating a more rewarding atmosphere for our cricketers. Jai Hind.”
This announcement follows the BCCI’s decision in April 2023 to raise the prize money for domestic competitions, where victorious teams of the Senior Women’s One Day Trophy received Rs 50 lakh, while the runners-up were awarded Rs 25 lakh.
Through these measures, including equal pay for senior national men’s and women’s teams, the BCCI is not only establishing new standards but also fostering a more supportive and competitive landscape for cricketers nationwide.
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