ICC World Twenty20: After women's tennis, 'equal pay' issue now echoes in cricket

Ahead of their match against West Indies, India captain Mithali Raj called for equal pay and perks for women cricketers.

New Delhi: Equal payment for men and women players has always been a premier debate in the tennis world.

Now, the similar issue has been raised by women cricketers as well in the ongoing ICC World Twenty20.

Ahead of their do-or-die group match against West Indies, India captain Mithali Raj called for equal pay and perks for women cricketers.

“As for me personally, I feel the game is the same, the rules are the same. But yes, when you see how many people turn up to see men’s game because they look up at it as an entertainment package. A lot of people come to watch, so the revenue input is more than women’s cricket,” Mithali was quoted as saying by the PTI.

She added, “People are still trying to catch up with women’s cricket. So, maybe down the lane, in a year or two, when women’s cricket does very well and starts attracting more crowd, then I feel it deserves same (pay) or at par with men’s cricket.”

West Indian skipper Stafanie Taylor looked quite convinced with her counterpart as she said: “We would love if we get the same pay as the men because we think we are working just as hard.”

(With PTI inputs)