From Rs 1,000 to Rs 91 Crore: Mithali Raj's Shocking 2005 Revelation Resurfaces After India's World Cup Triumph

Following India's historic Women's World Cup 2025 victory, an old interview with Mithali Raj has gone viral, revealing the stark transformation of women's cricket in India over two decades. The legendary batter disclosed that players received just Rs 1,000 per match—totaling Rs 8,000 for the entire tournament—when India reached their first World Cup final in 2005, a revelation that stands in stunning contrast to the Rs 91 crore (ICC prize money plus BCCI bonus) the 2025 champions will receive.

The Shocking 2005 Reality

In an interview with The Lallantop recorded in July 2025—now widely circulating on social media—Mithali revealed the financial struggles that characterized women's cricket before BCCI's takeover:

"There were no annual contracts. There were no match fees. When we finished runners-up in the Women's World Cup 2005, we were given Rs 1,000 per match. Just for that tournament. We didn't have any match fees otherwise. There was absolutely no money in the sport, so where would we get match fees from?"

India played eight matches in the 2005 World Cup, meaning each player earned approximately Rs 8,000 total—less than what many daily wage laborers earned at the time.

The WCAI Era: Cricket Without Compensation

Between 1973 and 2006, women's cricket in India was governed by the Women's Cricket Association of India (WCAI)—an independent body that functioned without major sponsors or financial backing. During this period:

• Players traveled in general train compartments

• Accommodations were modest at best

• No annual contracts existed

• Match fees were virtually nonexistent except for major tournaments

• Players relied on passion rather than professional compensation

The WCAI merged with the BCCI in November 2006, marking the beginning of gradual improvement.

The Transformation Timeline

2005: Rs 1,000 per match (World Cup only) 2006: BCCI takeover; per-series payments begin 2010s: Per-match fees introduced; central contracts established October 2022: Jay Shah announces pay parity—Rs 15 lakh per Test, Rs 6 lakh per ODI, Rs 3 lakh per T20I (equal to men) 2025: World Cup prize money: Rs 91 crore combined (Rs 40 crore ICC + Rs 51 crore BCCI)

The 2025 Windfall: A 900,000% Increase

• 2005 Total Earnings (8 matches): Rs 8,000 per player

• 2025 World Cup Prize Money: Rs 91 crore total (distributed among squad and support staff)

• Per-player estimated share (15-member squad): Approximately Rs 5-6 crore each

This represents roughly a 900,000% increase in World Cup earnings over two decades.

Why Mithali's Revelation Matters Now

The timing of the interview's resurgence is significant. As India celebrates their maiden World Cup triumph with unprecedented financial rewards, Mithali's disclosure serves as a reminder of the pioneers who played for love of the game when cricket offered women virtually nothing in return.

For Mithali personally—who led India to World Cup finals in 2005 and 2017 without winning—watching the current generation finally lift the trophy with full professional support and massive financial recognition represents vindication of her decades-long advocacy for women's cricket.

The BCCI's Role in Transformation

"These (match fees and annual contracts) started when things came under the BCCI. First, we were given per series, then per game, and only recently has there been pay equity with the men's team," Mithali explained.

Jay Shah's leadership—first as BCCI Secretary (2019-2024) and now as ICC Chairman—has been instrumental in:

• Launching the Women's Premier League (2023)

• Implementing pay parity (2022)

• Increasing ICC Women's World Cup prize money by 300% (2025)

From Rs 1,000 to Legend Status

Mithali Raj retired as:

• Women's ODI cricket's all-time leading run-scorer (10,868 runs)

• India's most-capped player across formats

• A two-time World Cup finalist (2005, 2017)

Her journey—from earning Rs 1,000 per match to becoming Indian cricket's highest-paid female cricketer before retirement—mirrors women's cricket's transformation from marginalized afterthought to professional sport commanding global respect and genuine financial rewards.