5 Indian Women players who earn more than Babar Azam's PSL salary

In the competitive realm of cricket, financial disparities between male and female players often come under scrutiny. Babar Azam is regarded as one of the highest-paid cricketers in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). He earns a reported USD 170,000, equivalent to approximately INR 1.40 crore with Peshawar Zalmi in PSL. However, the narrative takes an intriguing turn when examining the earnings of certain Indian women cricketers participating in the Women's Premier League (WPL).

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Launched just last year, the WPL has rapidly gained attention with the participation of five teams: the Gujarat Giants, Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and UP Warriorz. Astonishingly, a handful of women cricketers within the WPL have surpassed the financial benchmarks set by Babar Azam in the PSL.

This financial juxtaposition not only underscores the changing landscape of women's cricket but also prompts a broader discussion on gender equality and fair compensation within the cricketing arena. Here are the top 5 players who earn more than Babar Azam’s PSL salary in the WPL:

#5. Harmanpreet Kaur (INR 1.8 crore, Mumbai Indians)

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India's cricket captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, played a pivotal role in guiding the Mumbai Indians to victory in the inaugural Women's Premier League (WPL). Kaur, known for her exemplary batting skills, has a substantial deal worth INR 1.8 crore with the Mumbai-based franchise.

It solidifies her position as one of the highest-earning players in the tournament. Her leadership and batting prowess were instrumental in the Mumbai Indians' success, making her a key figure in the flourishing landscape of women's cricket.

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#4. Shafali Verma (INR 2 crore, Delhi Capitals)

Delhi Capitals' dynamic batter, Shafali Verma, stands out as a prominent figure in the Women's Premier League (WPL) with a substantial contract of INR 2 crore per season. Notably, her earnings surpass the paycheck of Babar Azam in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

It makes a statement about the growing financial recognition of women's cricket. Shafali's INR 2 crore deal exceeds Babar Azam's reported USD 170,000 (approximately INR 1.40 crore) in the PSL by a noteworthy margin of 60 lakhs, reflecting a positive stride towards equitable compensation for women athletes in the cricketing world.

#3. Jemimah Rodrigues (INR 2.2 crore, Delhi Capitals)

Delhi Capitals' dynamic batter, Jemimah Rodrigues, showcased her prowess in the Women's Premier League 2024 opener with a stellar 42-run performance against the Mumbai Indians. Renowned for her impressive strike rate, Rodrigues commands a noteworthy INR 2.2 crore salary in the tournament.

Notably, her earnings are almost INR 80 lakhs more than those of Babar Azam in the Pakistan Super League. Rodrigues has played a pivotal role in steering the Delhi Capitals towards the tournament finals, cementing her status as a key player in the league.

#2. Deepti Sharma (INR 2.6 crore, UP Warriorz)

UP Warriorz all-rounder Deepti Sharma has garnered attention not only for her cricketing prowess but also for her substantial earnings in the Women's Premier League (WPL). Ranked second on the list of top earners, Deepti Sharma commands a salary of INR 2.6 crore, surpassing the earnings of Babar Azam in the Pakistan Super League.

This financial milestone not only highlights the recognition of her contributions to the league but also underscores the changing dynamics in women's cricket, where players like Deepti Sharma are making significant strides both on and off the field. Despite recent performance fluctuations, her lucrative salary emphasizes the growing value placed on women's contributions in the world of cricket.

#1. Smriti Mandhana (INR 3.4 crore, Royal Challengers Bangalore)

Smriti Mandhana emerges as the highest-paid Indian cricketer in the Women's Premier League, securing a significant deal with Royal Challengers Bangalore for INR 3.4 crore. Notably, Mandhana's earnings in the WPL surpass the salary of the highest-paid player in the Pakistan Super League, Babar Azam, by almost INR 2 crore.

Despite the substantial investment in Mandhana, the Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper has faced performance challenges over the past two years, raising questions about the correlation between earnings and on-field contributions. Mandhana's lucrative contract emphasises the growing financial recognition for women cricketers while also prompting discussions on the value of performance in shaping such lucrative deals.