A long-standing gap in financial security for former women cricketers is beginning to narrow, with the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA) rolling out a structured monthly assistance scheme aimed at players who have historically fallen outside formal pension systems.
The initiative targets retired women cricketers from the state who are not covered under the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) pension framework, offering a new layer of financial stability to a previously underserved segment of the game.
Long-awaited support gains momentum
The move has been in development since the current administration took charge, with internal discussions gradually evolving into a formal policy.
Arundhati Kirkire, MPCA Joint Secretary, said in an interview with IANS, “Everyone is very happy. Some people used to think that an initiative like this might never happen. But everybody is happy that this has happened very soon. They might not be expecting it so soon, but I’m glad that this decision was made very fast. We are also very happy to see the reception since this news came out. We are also very happy that this has been going on for a long time and that the dream has come true.”
She added, “When we came here with the new committee, we had been thinking about this for a long time – that the women’s pension scheme should be opened for ex- cricketers. Our committee came in September last year, and we have been working on this since then. Now to see it become a reality, this is the achievement of our whole committee, in which there was a lot of support from Mahanaaryaman Scindia ji.”
Highlighting the practical impact of the scheme, she said, “The minimum slab is Rs 7000-10,000. If someone is getting nothing and then gets Rs 7000 per month through this initiative, then she will get some financial support, as compared to the times when there was no money in it, and they would still play purely for the passion of the game.”
Tiered financial structure introduced
At the top end of the scheme, former international players from the state are set to receive ₹12,500 per month (approx. US$134), while domestic players will be placed across multiple brackets depending on their playing history. The structure spans ₹6,000 (approx. US$65), ₹7,500 (approx. US$81), and ₹10,000 (approx. US$108), creating a graded model based on match participation across legacy systems such as the Women’s Cricket Association of India and the BCCI.
The framework also includes an additional ₹7,500 (approx. US$81) per month for beneficiaries above the age of 75, reinforcing the welfare focus of the initiative. The system is application-based, reflecting the challenge of incomplete historical records from earlier eras of women’s cricket.
Beyond the core slabs, the association has aligned the scheme with broader compensation structures within the domestic ecosystem. Match officials and support staff will also benefit from revised payouts, including ₹5,000 per match (approx. US$54) for umpires, ₹2,500 per day (approx. US$27) for scorers, and ₹9,000 (approx. US$97) for selectors.
Leadership frames initiative as structural correction
The initiative has been positioned as a corrective step aimed at recognising contributions made during periods when institutional support was limited.
Mahanaryaman Scindia, MPCA President, said in an interview with Cricbuzz, “Our former women cricketers have contributed immensely to the game in absence of resources or any inspiring role models in those days and often without the recognition and support structures that exist today. It is our responsibility to ensure they are supported with dignity and respect.”
Eligibility and implementation clarity
The scheme is specifically designed for players who are not already receiving BCCI-backed financial support, ensuring it fills existing gaps rather than duplicating benefits.
Sudhir Asnani, MPCA Honorary Secretary, said in an official statement, “Former women players who have played in international Tests and One Day Internationals will be provided Rs 12,500 per month…those who have played domestic cricket will be given Rs 6,000 to Rs 10,000, depending on the number of matches played.”
Wider ecosystem signals growing momentum
MPCA’s move aligns with a broader shift across Indian cricket, where state associations are increasingly stepping in to supplement centralised pension systems. The BCCI currently provides monthly support of ₹52,500 (approx. US$565) for former international women players, with additional tiers including ₹45,000 (approx. US$484) and ₹70,000 (approx. US$753) depending on career span and era.
The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) has also introduced a similar pension scheme, offering ₹15,000 per month (approx. US$161) to eligible former women cricketers, signalling a coordinated push toward strengthening post-retirement support structures.
Santosh Menon, KSCA Secretary, said in an official statement, “This initiative is aimed at recognising and honouring valuable contributions made by former women cricketers to the state.”
A step toward long-term structural change
While the financial figures remain modest relative to modern professional earnings, the introduction of structured monthly support marks a meaningful shift in how legacy contributors to the women’s game are recognised.
With more associations adopting similar models and policy alignment gradually improving across levels, initiatives like MPCA’s could form the foundation of a more comprehensive and inclusive welfare system for retired women cricketers in India.
