by Cricket was once called a gentleman’s game. But in 2025, it’s the women who are rewriting the rulebook—not just on the field, but in boardrooms, brand campaigns, and bank accounts.
The richest female cricketers in the world are no longer just athletes. They’re entrepreneurs, icons, and proof that when women get equal opportunity, they deliver equal—if not greater—impact.
From Ellyse Perry’s multi-crore endorsements to Smriti Mandhana’s record-breaking auction price in the Women’s Premier League, women’s cricket has transformed from a passion project into a billion-rupee industry.
This wasn’t always the case. For decades, women cricketers played for pride, not pay. They stitched their own jerseys, traveled economy class, and juggled day jobs just to afford their cricketing dreams.
But somewhere between the underdog tournaments of the 1990s and the sold-out stadiums of 2025, something fundamental shifted.
Leagues like the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL), The Hundred, and India’s Women’s Premier League (WPL) brought visibility, sponsors, and serious money into the game.
Boards started offering equal match fees. Brands began seeing female cricketers as bankable stars. And fans? They showed up in millions.
The 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup – Currently underway with its biggest-ever prize pool is the exclamation mark on this revolution.
It’s not just a tournament. It’s a statement: women’s cricket has arrived, and it’s here to stay.
Top 10 Richest Female Cricketers in the World 2025
Let’s dive into how this transformation happened, who the richest female cricketers in the world are today, and what the future holds for a sport finally getting its due.
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From Village Greens to Global Stages: The Evolution of Women’s Cricket
Women’s cricket didn’t start with flash and fanfare. It began quietly, almost stubbornly, in 1745 with a village match in England between Bramley and Hambledon.
For the next two centuries, women played cricket in corners—literally and figuratively.
By 1926, England had formed the Women’s Cricket Association (WCA), giving structure to what was still considered a novelty.
The first Women’s Test match happened in 1934 between England and Australia. But here’s the kicker: the first Women’s Cricket World Cup was held in 1973—two years before the men’s version. Yet it barely made headlines.
In India, women’s cricket took root even later. The Women’s Cricket Association of India (WCAI) was founded in 1973, and the national team played its first international match in 1976.
Players like Diana Edulji and Shantha Rangaswamy became pioneers, but they did it without salaries, without sponsors, and without recognition.
Fast forward to the 2000s. Boards began merging men’s and women’s cricket under one umbrella. Funding improved. The matches got televised. Slowly, the game was professionalizing.
But the real turning point? The 2017 Women’s World Cup final at Lord’s. India vs England. A packed stadium. Record viewership.
That match changed everything. It proved there was an audience—a massive one—hungry for women’s cricket.
From there, leagues launched. Contracts multiplied. And suddenly, the concept of the richest female cricketers in the world stopped sounding like fiction.
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Equal Pay and the Visibility Revolution
For years, the biggest complaint in women’s cricket wasn’t about playing conditions—it was about dignity. How could you take a sport seriously when its best players were earning a fraction of what mid-tier male players made?
India’s Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) changed that narrative in 2023 by announcing equal match fees:
- ₹15 lakh per Test
- ₹6 lakh per ODI
- ₹3 lakh per T20I
This wasn’t charity. It was recognition. Australia and England followed suit with improved central contracts and performance bonuses.
But the real game-changer was franchise cricket. The Women’s Premier League (WPL) launched in 2023 with auction prices that shocked everyone.
Smriti Mandhana went for ₹3.4 crore. Nat Sciver-Brunt fetched ₹3.2 crore. These weren’t token gestures—they were market-driven valuations.
Australia’s WBBL has paved the way since 2015, giving players consistent salaries and broadcast visibility.
England’s The Hundred introduced equal pay for men and women in 2023. Suddenly, women cricketers weren’t just participating in leagues—they were headlining them.
Endorsements followed the money. Brands like Hero MotoCorp, Puma, Red Bull, and Gulf Oil signed female cricketers as ambassadors.
Social media amplified their reach. Players like Harmanpreet Kaur and Ellyse Perry became household names not just in cricket circles but in mainstream culture.
The visibility loop was complete: more matches → more viewers → more sponsors → better pay → better infrastructure → more talent → repeat.
And that loop is producing the top 10 richest female cricketers in the world, which we celebrate today.
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Top 10 Richest Female Cricketers in the World
Here’s where the numbers get interesting. The richest women cricketers in the world rankings now feature net worths that rival top-tier athletes in other sports.
Some have retired but continue earning through commentary, coaching, and brand deals. Others are in their prime, stacking salaries with endorsements.
| Player | Country | Role | Estimated Net Worth | Key Income Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ellyse Perry | Australia | All-rounder | ₹120 crore | WBBL contracts, Adidas, CommBank endorsements |
| Meg Lanning | Australia | Batter (Retired) | ₹75 crore | Coaching, Nike deals, commentary |
| Mithali Raj | India | Batter (Retired) | ₹43 crore | Brand deals, Shabaash Mithu film royalties |
| Smriti Mandhana | India | Opener | ₹35 crore | WPL salary, Hero MotoCorp, Red Bull |
| Harmanpreet Kaur | India | All-rounder | ₹26 crore | WPL captain salary, Puma, CEAT |
| Sarah Taylor | England | Wicketkeeper (Retired) | ₹17 crore | Coaching, commentary, Gray-Nicolls |
| Holly Ferling | Australia | Fast Bowler | ₹13 crore | Commentary, Cricket Australia contracts |
| Isa Guha | England | Bowler (Retired) | ₹13 crore | BBC & Sky Sports anchor |
| Sana Mir | Pakistan | All-rounder (Retired) | ₹11 crore | ESPN pundit, UN Women ambassador |
| Dane van Niekerk | South Africa | All-rounder | ₹9 crore | WBBL, The Hundred contracts |
- Ellyse Perry sits at the top as the highest-paid female cricketer in the world. Her net worth of approximately ₹120 crore comes from a combination of Cricket Australia’s central contract, lucrative WBBL deals, and major endorsements with Adidas and Commonwealth Bank. Perry isn’t just a cricketer—she’s a brand.
- Mithali Raj, India’s legendary batter, is the richest female cricketer in the India category. Even after retirement, her ₹43 crore net worth continues to grow through commentary roles, speaking engagements, and the biographical film Shabaash Mithu, which brought her story to millions.
- Smriti Mandhana represents the new generation. As the most expensive player in WPL history, her ₹35 crore valuation reflects both her elegant batting and her marketability. She’s become the face of women’s cricket in India, with endorsements spanning automobiles, energy drinks, and oil companies.
What’s remarkable about this list isn’t just the numbers—it’s the diversity. Retired players earn through the media. Active stars commanding league salaries. All-rounders leveraging their versatility into brand partnerships. The ecosystem is mature, varied, and sustainable.
How the Women’s Premier League Changed Everything?
If there’s one event that accelerated the financial trajectory of women’s cricket, it’s the Women’s Premier League (WPL). Launched in 2023, the WPL wasn’t just another tournament—it was a statement of intent from the BCCI.
The league sold its media rights to Viacom18 for ₹951 crore, signaling massive broadcast confidence. Five franchises—Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Gujarat Giants, and UP Warriorz—bid aggressively for players.
When Smriti Mandhana went for ₹3.4 crore in the auction, it sent shockwaves. That figure was more than many international male cricketers earn outside the IPL. Suddenly, women’s cricket wasn’t just competitive—it was commercially viable.
The WPL did three critical things:
- Created year-round income: Players now had domestic leagues, international series, and franchise contracts, building sustainable careers.
- Boosted visibility: Primetime slots, star-studded opening ceremonies, and celebrity owners brought mainstream attention. Matches trended on social media. Stadiums sold out.
- Elevated the top 10 richest female cricketer in India: Players like Harmanpreet Kaur, Deepti Sharma, and Jemimah Rodrigues saw their earnings and brand values multiply overnight.
The ripple effect extended beyond India. International players like Sophie Devine, Beth Mooney, and Nat Sciver-Brunt earned life-changing money, taking the WPL experience back to their home leagues and raising standards globally.
The WPL proved a simple truth: if you invest in women’s cricket, it pays back—literally and culturally.
The 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup: A Financial and Cultural Peak
The ongoing 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, is the biggest women’s cricket event in history. And it’s not just about on-field drama—it’s about economics.
The tournament carries a record prize pool of USD 13.8 million (approximately ₹115 crore). The winning team walks away with nearly USD 7 million. Every participating nation benefits from appearance fees and performance bonuses. This isn’t symbolic—it’s substantial.
Viewership numbers have shattered records. Star Sports, Disney+ Hotstar, and Amazon Prime reported cumulative audiences crossing 200 million by the knockout stages. Stadiums in Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Colombo have been packed, with ticket sales rivaling IPL matches.
For the richest female cricketers in the world, this World Cup represents a perfect storm of opportunity. Performance here translates directly into:
- Enhanced brand value: Companies are lining up to sign players who deliver in high-pressure moments.
- Franchise leverage: WPL teams are watching closely, preparing for next year’s mega-auction.
- Global recognition: International media coverage means players are being discovered by audiences beyond traditional cricket markets.
Indian players, especially, have benefited. Smriti Mandhana, Harmanpreet Kaur, and Jemimah Rodrigues are seeing renewed sponsorships, merchandise deals, and social media growth. They’re not just representing India—they’re representing the future of the sport.
The 2025 World Cup will be remembered as the moment women’s cricket stopped asking for equality and started demanding—and receiving—it.
Comparing with the Men: Where Do the Richest Female Cricketers Stand?
Let’s be honest: there’s still a gap. The richest male cricketer in the world, Sachin Tendulkar, has an estimated net worth exceeding ₹1,250 crore. Virat Kohli is worth around ₹1,050 crore. MS Dhoni isn’t far behind.
Even among active players, the richest male cricketer in India—likely Virat Kohli or Rohit Sharma—earns significantly more annually through IPL salaries and endorsements.
But here’s the important context: the gap is narrowing faster than anyone predicted. Ten years ago, comparing the top 10 richest cricketer in the world with female cricketers would have been absurd. Today, it’s a legitimate conversation.
Ellyse Perry’s ₹120 crore net worth puts her in the same financial league as many international male cricketers. Smriti Mandhana’s ₹3.4 crore WPL salary is more than several IPL players earn.
The trajectory matters more than the current snapshot. Men’s cricket had a 150-year head start, institutional support, and decades of commercial investment. Women’s cricket has compressed that journey into 15 years—and it’s accelerating.
As leagues expand, broadcast deals multiply, and audiences grow, the richest female cricketers in the world will soon command valuations that rival—and possibly surpass—male cricketers in all but the very top tier.
That’s not optimism. It’s math.
What’s Next: The Future of Women’s Cricket Economics
The foundation is laid. The momentum is real. But what comes next will determine whether this is a temporary surge or a permanent transformation.
- Sustainable Careers: The combination of central contracts, league salaries, and endorsements finally allows women to build long-term careers. Young players entering the system today can plan their lives around cricket without needing backup jobs—a luxury previous generations never had.
- Global Calendar: The cricket calendar is filling up. WBBL runs from October to November. WPL happens in March. The Hundred takes place in summer. Add in an international series, and top players can stay active nearly year-round. More playing time means more earning opportunities.
- Grassroots Investment: Boards are finally funding women’s cricket at the grassroots level. Academies are opening. Talent identification programs are expanding. This pipeline will produce the next generation of stars who’ll push earnings even higher.
- Brand Evolution: Sponsors are shifting from tokenism to genuine investment. Female cricketers are fronting major campaigns—not “women’s campaigns” but mainstream brand initiatives. This cultural shift matters economically because it expands the revenue pie rather than just dividing existing slices.
- Media and Content: Streaming platforms, YouTube channels, and social media have democratized access. Players can build personal brands directly, controlling their narratives and monetizing their content independently of traditional structures.
The top 10 richest female cricketer in the world in 2025 will look different from the 2030’s list. New names will emerge. Earnings will multiply. And the conversation will shift from “closing the gap” to “celebrating achievements.”
Conclusion: Breaking Boundaries, Building Legacies
The story of the richest female cricketers in the world isn’t just about money. It’s about validation, recognition, and the simple dignity of being paid fairly for exceptional work.
Women’s cricket spent decades proving it deserved a seat at the table. Now it’s building its own table—one funded by leagues, supported by sponsors, celebrated by fans, and headlined by athletes who refuse to be sidelined anymore.
From Ellyse Perry’s ₹120 crore empire to the rising stars earning life-changing contracts in the WPL, these cricketers are rewriting what’s possible.
They’re inspiring millions of young girls to pick up a bat, knowing that cricket can be more than a hobby—it can be a career, a calling, and a path to prosperity.
The 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup has proven the world is watching, investing, and finally valuing women’s cricket at its true worth.
The richest female cricketers in the world today are only the beginning. The next generation will earn more, achieve more, and matter more.
And that’s not just progress. That’s justice. That’s equality. That’s cricket, finally living up to its promise of being a game for everyone.
The boundaries have been broken. Now it’s time to build legacies that last forever.
