The Rise of India’s Richest Women Cricketers (2025)
Cricket in India has always been more than a game — it’s an emotion that unites over a billion hearts. For decades, the spotlight belonged almost exclusively to male cricketers. But today, the Indian Women’s Cricket Team has emerged as a powerful force, not only on the field but also in the world of fame, sponsorships, and financial success.
As of 2025, women cricketers are signing multi-crore contracts, global brand endorsements, and lucrative deals through the Women’s Premier League (WPL) — changing the way female athletes are valued in India.
This article ranks and celebrates the Top 10 Richest Women Cricketers in India (2025) — exploring their net worth, salaries, brand endorsements, lifestyle, and rise to financial independence.
💰 The Financial Revolution in Women’s Cricket
Just a decade ago, even top-performing women players earned modest salaries compared to their male counterparts. But the introduction of the BCCI Annual Contracts (2023 onwards) and the massive success of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) changed everything.
Today, stars like Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur earn salaries rivaling lower-tier IPL male players, while their brand endorsement portfolios include premium brands like Puma, Hero MotoCorp, and Red Bull.
📈 Average Annual Income (2025):
| Category | Female Cricketers | Male Cricketers |
|---|---|---|
| BCCI Central Contract (Grade A) | ₹50 lakh / $60,000 | ₹7 crore / $850,000 |
| Match Fees (ODI/T20/Test Combined Yearly Avg.) | ₹30–40 lakh / $36,000–$48,000 | ₹3–5 crore / $360,000–$600,000 |
| Brand Endorsements | ₹1–6 crore / $120,000–$720,000 | ₹10–40 crore / $1.2M–$4.8M |
| WPL / IPL Earnings | ₹1–3 crore / $120,000–$360,000 | ₹6–16 crore / $720,000–$1.9M |
| Total Annual Average | ₹2–8 crore / $240,000–$960,000 | ₹15–60 crore / $1.8M–$7.2M |
Even though the earnings gap remains large, the growth trajectory of women’s cricket is remarkably fast — and experts predict that by 2030, India’s top female cricketers could earn 5–6 times what they did in 2024.
⚡ the Rise in Women Cricketers’ Income
1. The Women’s Premier League (WPL) Effect
The WPL is the biggest financial revolution in Indian women’s sports.
- The inaugural season saw Smriti Mandhana becoming the highest-paid player with ₹3.4 crore ($400,000).
- Teams like Mumbai Indians Women and Royal Challengers Bangalore Women attracted millions in sponsorships and broadcast deals.
- The league’s success has made women’s cricket mainstream entertainment, with packed stadiums and record viewership.
2. BCCI’s Equal Pay Initiative
In 2023, the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) announced equal match fees for both men and women.
- Test match fee: ₹15 lakh ($18,000)
- ODI fee: ₹6 lakh ($7,200)
- T20I fee: ₹3 lakh ($3,600)
This historic move positioned India as a global leader in gender equality in cricket payments.
3. Global Brand Partnerships
With fame comes fortune. India’s women cricketers now endorse high-value brands like Nike, Puma, Reliance Digital, Hero MotoCorp, and Dream11.
Social media influence adds another layer of income — top players like Smriti Mandhana earn up to ₹20–30 lakh per Instagram post in collaborations.
👑 The Top 10 Richest Women Cricketers in India (2025)
As of 2025, the following cricketers dominate the financial leaderboard of Indian women’s cricket. Their net worth includes BCCI salaries, WPL contracts, brand endorsements, and other income streams like media appearances and social media sponsorships.
| Rank | Player | Net Worth (2025) | Role | Major Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Smriti Mandhana | ₹50 crore ($6.0M) | Batter | RCB Women / India |
| 2 | Harmanpreet Kaur | ₹40 crore ($4.8M) | All-rounder | MI Women / India |
| 3 | Deepti Sharma | ₹25 crore ($3.0M) | All-rounder | UP Warriorz / India |
| 4 | Shafali Verma | ₹18 crore ($2.1M) | Batter | DC Women / India |
| 5 | Jemimah Rodrigues | ₹16 crore ($1.9M) | Batter | DC Women / India |
| 6 | Pooja Vastrakar | ₹12 crore ($1.4M) | All-rounder | MI Women / India |
| 7 | Richa Ghosh | ₹10 crore ($1.2M) | Wicketkeeper | RCB Women / India |
| 8 | Renuka Singh Thakur | ₹8 crore ($950K) | Bowler | RCB Women / India |
| 9 | Taniya Bhatia | ₹6 crore ($720K) | Wicketkeeper | PB Women / India |
| 10 | Mithali Raj (Retired) | ₹55 crore ($6.6M) | Former Captain | India |
🔮 The Future of Women’s Cricket Earnings (2025–2030)
Industry analysts project that India’s female cricket ecosystem will grow by over 300% in brand sponsorship value by 2030. The WPL’s broadcast rights, valued at ₹951 crore, indicate just the beginning of a long-term financial revolution.
More international franchises, digital streaming deals, and global tournaments will further elevate women cricketers’ visibility and wealth.
By 2030, India could witness its first woman cricketer billionaire, driven by sports, media, and business ventures.
💎 Conclusion
The journey from limited recognition to multi-crore fame has been nothing short of phenomenal. Today’s Indian women cricketers are not just athletes — they’re powerful brands inspiring millions.