Women empowerment has long been a highlighted agenda item for international bodies and governments across the globe. Sustainable Development Goal 5, United Nations clearly puts forward the need to act and invest in women. Indian government has been consciously working towards upliftment of women and gender equality through a multipronged approach in various fields including sports. The magnanimous status of cricket and the love for this game is well acknowledged by players, fans, sponsors and general public at large. However, a gender-based approach clearly highlights the glaring differences between popularity of men’s cricket and women’s cricket. Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) is the apex body managing Indian Cricket players including both men and women. There have been commendable steps on BCCI’s part to provide a level-playing field to both men and women players but it’s a long ongoing journey. This study provides a descriptive analysis on role of cricket in women empowerment through promotion of “equal pay equal work”. The discussion is supported by data on salary of cricketers and sale of broadcasting rights. This is an attempt to highlight that a lot needs to be done collectively and consciously by the stakeholders of Indian Cricket to bring gender parity and achieve women empowerment in its spirit through the most loved game of masses. The study further puts forward workable suggestions that can result in a win-win situation for all.

Keywords: Women Empowerment, Indian Cricket, Gender Equality.