The Mumbai Cricket Association has announced equal pay for its men's and women's players, becoming the first state governing body in India to award annual retainers to cricketers from both sides. The contracts cover the 2026-2027 season and were finalised after the association had announced the framework in April 2026.
A total of 22 players will receive contracts under the initiative, comprising 14 male and eight female cricketers. The retainers are structured across three grades: Grade A carries
an annual retainer of INR 12 lakh, Grade B offers INR 8 lakh, and Grade C provides INR 6 lakh. The same grade values apply to both men and women, establishing pay parity across the board. This initiative is aimed at providing financial support to those not centrally contracted by the BCCI or part of the targeted group.
Beyond the annual retainers, all contracted players will receive match fees, daily allowances and performance-based incentives throughout the season.
Which players have received MCA contracts for 2026-2027?
Among the male players, Siddhesh Lad and Shams Mulani have been placed in Grade A. Mohit Avasthi has been awarded a Grade B retainer alongside two further players, Hardik Tamore and Akash Anand, completing the three-man Grade B group. Sairaj Patil, Himanshu Singh and five other players have been awarded Grade C contracts, bringing the total male contingent to 14.
On the women's side, Humaira Kazi and Vrushali Bhagat have earned Grade A retainers. Sanika Chalke has been placed in Grade B, while Fatima Jaffer and four other players have received Grade C contracts. The eight women contracted mark a meaningful step in the formal recognition of women's domestic cricket in Mumbai, with the association treating their retainer values as identical to those of their male counterparts at every grade level.
How does this fit into the broader picture of pay in Indian cricket?
The MCA's move comes against a backdrop of gradual progress on pay matters across Indian cricket. Former BCCI president Sourav Ganguly had announced equal pay as a priority when he took charge of the board around 2019, more than seven years ago, though implementation at the state level has been slow to follow.
At the national level, the BCCI introduced a Test incentive scheme that allows match fees to increase by 300 per cent for centrally contracted men's players who feature in more than 75 per cent of Tests in a season. The MCA had also rewarded its senior men's team with a 100 per cent pay raise in the 2024-25 season, doubling total earnings across the domestic calendar.
Also Read: 'I am thoroughly enjoying my role as a mentor' - Chris Gayle expresses excitement after getting new opportunity at Kerala Cricket League
The association has also moved to recognise individual contributions to Mumbai cricket in other ways. A scholarship fund was set up in honour of Ajinkya Rahane following his retirement in 2026, supported by a contribution from former MCA president Sharad Pawar. The equal pay announcement, however, stands as the most structurally significant step the MCA has taken for women's cricket to date.
