By Somya panwar
Cricket for women has been gaining pace over the years, but the latest declaration by the International Cricket Council (ICC) seems to be a game-changer. With only a month left for the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup to get underway in India and Sri Lanka, the governing council has announced a whopping four-time hike in prize money for the tournament, a move that clearly indicates women’s cricket is no longer playing catch-up.
The total prize money for the eight-nation tournament is now $13.88 million, a 297% increase from the $3.5 million on offer in New Zealand in 2022. To place that into context, the amount even exceeds the $10 million that was awarded at the ICC Men’s World Cup in India two years ago.
For the players, it’s not just about figures, it’s about recognition. The victors of this 13th installment will take home $4.48 million, almost two and a half times what Australia earned three years ago at $1.32 million. The runners-up will earn $2.24 million, while the semi-finalists will be paid $1.12 million per player. Even players who made it through the group stage are ensured $250,000 with more money for each win during a match. It’s the type of framework that rewards performance but also recognizes the worth that every team contributes to the worldwide spectacle.
This news isn’t standing alone. It comes on the heels of the ICC’s 2023 move to implement pay parity across men’s and women’s competitions such that match fees are equal for men and women. Combined, these moves are a cultural change in cricket, one that had long been demanded by players and supporters.
ICC Chairman Jay Shah termed the increase in prize money as a “defining milestone” for the game. The message here is simple: Women’s cricket is no longer an afterthought. For decades, the women’s game has existed in the shadow of the men’s format: fewer matches, smaller spectatorship, spotty television coverage, and prize money that never approached. But change is afoot. The popularity of the recent Women’s World Cups and the growth of women’s T20 leagues have testified that if female players are provided with a suitable platform, the fans react with fervor and loyalty.
This cash injection is not simply about money; it is about recognition. It tells young women who are first acquiring a bat that their talent is appreciated, that to play cricket at the top level doesn’t mean doing something less. This is not a publicity stunt rather it puts women’s cricket at the same level the men’s cricket is staged.
On September 30 begins the Women’s World Cup ODI in 2025 where India will take on Sri Lanka at Gauhati which will be a tournament plus. It would be a reflection of the journey the game has traveled and the journey it still has in store.