The 26-year-old cricketer, who is bracketed in Grade B (Rs 10lakh), said that it is the best time for women's cricket.
Few weeks after graded payment was introduced in women's cricket in India, cricketer Poonam Raut said she is happy with the move and that it will take the game forward.
The 26-year-old cricketer, who is bracketed in Grade B (Rs 10lakh), said that it is the best time for women's cricket.
"Obviously (it is a great news). Before money came in women's cricket, the only motivation to play was an India cap. That used to be our dream. Girls come from different background and play cricket. The way they should have got support (financially) before was not great. With the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) supporting women's cricket, it has obviously changed," said Raut.
Graded payment has been in practise in men's cricket for many years in India
Talking during the opening day of the West Zone and All India Inter-University Cricket Tournament for women at the PJ Hindu Gymkhana on Wednesday, organised by Mumbai University and Rizvi College, Raut said, "The contract system will make a lot of difference. Now girls can look to make a career in cricket. It will definitely change the game."
"BCCI is helping women's cricket a lot in domestic cricket which wasn't there initially. There is a lot of exposure too, since the media is keeping their eyes on our performances.
"It is not just financial support that is helping. Earlier, it was difficult to get attention. The team's performances in the 2005 World Cup where India made the final was missed out as very few knew about the feat that we finished runners-up.
"The women's cricket is definitely heading in the right direction," she added.
Raut said she is excited that the next mega event — World T20 — will be played in India alongwith the men's edition.
"Next March there is World T20, which is really good. People will get to know where women's cricket stands. It is a great opportunity for us to show what we can do," she said, adding that the team's next venture is a three-ODI match series in Australia.
With Australia starting a Women's Big Bash League (T20 tournament) where players from many countries are playing, Raut said a tournament like that will be a great boost.
"From India Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami were supposed to participate, however, our domestic matches were on, which is very important for us. A league for women on the lines of Indian Premier League will be really good for us," she added.
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