Women’s cricket has undergone a quiet revolution.
Not so long ago, female players were sharing buses to grounds and stitching their own kits.
Today, some of them earn crores from a single league season.
The richest women cricketers in the world aren’t just athletes anymore. They’re brand faces, media personalities, and business minds.
This shift happened fast. The WPL alone moved the salary ceiling overnight. Add global T20 leagues, big-name sponsors, and record TV audiences, and you have a sport that finally pays its stars what they deserve.
Here’s a close look at the top earners, how they built their wealth, and what their journeys tell us about where women’s cricket is headed.
Richest women cricketers in the world
Quick Summary:
- Richest women cricketer globally: Ellyse Perry (₹120 crore)
- Richest women cricketer in India: Mithali Raj (₹43 crore), Smriti Mandhana (₹35 crore)
- Biggest salary driver: WPL, WBBL, The Hundred
- Key income sources: Central contracts, endorsements, media roles
- Total players featured: 11
Key Highlights:
- Australia dominates the top two spots due to strong central contracts and WBBL salaries
- India’s WPL has dramatically boosted earnings for Indian players since 2023
- Retired players like Mithali Raj and Meg Lanning still earn through commentary and brand work
- Smriti Mandhana’s ₹3.4 crore WPL deal was a watershed moment for women’s cricket pay
- Broadcasting is now a major second career for retired women cricketers
Top 11 Richest Women Cricketers in the World in 2026
| Rank | Player | Country | Net Worth (2025) | Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ellyse Perry | Australia | ₹120 crore | All-rounder |
| 2 | Meg Lanning | Australia | ₹75 crore | Batter (Retired) |
| 3 | Mithali Raj | India | ₹43 crore | Batter (Retired) |
| 4 | Smriti Mandhana | India | ₹35 crore | Opener |
| 5 | Harmanpreet Kaur | India | ₹26 crore | All-rounder / Captain |
| 6 | Sarah Taylor | England | ₹17 crore | Wicketkeeper (Retired) |
| 7 | Holly Ferling | Australia | ₹13 crore | Fast Bowler / Broadcaster |
| 8 | Isa Guha | England | ₹13 crore | Bowler / Broadcaster |
| 9 | Sana Mir | Pakistan | ₹11 crore | All-rounder (Retired) |
| 10 | Dane van Niekerk | South Africa | ₹9 crore | All-rounder |
| 11 | Jhulan Goswami | India | ₹8 crore | Fast Bowler (Retired) |
1. Ellyse Perry: The Richest Women Cricketer in the World
Net Worth: ₹120 crore
Ellyse Perry’s net worth stands in a class of its own. No other woman cricketer comes close. She’s the only athlete, male or female, to have represented Australia in both the Cricket World Cup and the Football World Cup.
Perry made her international debut at just 16 years old. She’s now a two-sport legend with a brand value that puts her alongside the biggest names in global sport.
How she earns:
- Top-tier WBBL contract with Sydney Sixers
- Cricket Australia central contract
- Endorsements with Adidas and Commonwealth Bank
- International speaking engagements
- Brand ambassador roles across multiple sectors
Her personality plays a big role here. She’s articulate, consistent, and never controversial, which makes her the safest and most sought-after name for sponsors. When people ask about the richest male cricketer in the world, names like Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli come up. Perry is women’s cricket’s equivalent in terms of personal brand power.
Ellyse Perry’s Personal Life
Many fans also search for Ellyse Perry’s husband. She was previously married to Australian rugby player Matthew Toomua. The two announced their separation in 2023. Perry has kept her personal life largely private since then, choosing to let her cricket do the talking.
2. Meg Lanning: Leadership Turned Into Legacy
Net Worth: ₹75 crore
Meg Lanning didn’t just captain Australia. She rebuilt what it meant to win. Under her leadership, Australia claimed seven ICC trophies, a record no team in men’s or women’s cricket has matched.
She retired from international cricket in 2024, but her income hasn’t stopped. Coaching, media, and consulting have filled the gap.
Income streams:
- WBBL and The Hundred contracts
- Nike and Asics endorsements
- Broadcast and commentary deals
- Corporate leadership consulting
Lanning is proof that a playing career can be the launchpad for something bigger. Her post-retirement path shows where cricket’s future stars will eventually land.
3. Mithali Raj: The Woman Who Started It All for India
Net Worth: ₹43 crore
Mithali Raj spent decades playing for a country that barely noticed. She became the richest women cricketer in India through sheer consistency and patience. Her BCCI career earnings were modest by today’s standards. But her brand built up quietly over two decades.
The 2022 biopic Shabaash Mithu added a new revenue stream. Commentary gigs followed. And corporate India, now more willing to put women cricketers in advertisements, came calling.
Mithali Raj’s net worth comes from:
- Long-running BCCI central contracts
- Brand endorsements across sports and lifestyle brands
- Film royalties and consulting from her biopic
- Commentary and media appearances
- Corporate speeches and leadership events
She’s the player who made women’s cricket watchable in India long before it was fashionable. That loyalty has paid off.
4. Smriti Mandhana: The Face of New-Age Women’s Cricket
Net Worth: ₹35 crore
Ask any brand manager in India who they want fronting their campaign right now, and Smriti Mandhana’s name tops the list. She’s stylish, engaging on social media, and one of the most technically gifted left-handed batters in the game.
Her WPL auction price of ₹3.4 crore made international headlines. It was, at the time, one of the highest prices ever paid for a women’s cricketer in any league. Smriti Mandhana’s net worth has since grown steadily.
Her earning sources:
- WPL salary (Royal Challengers Bengaluru)
- BCCI central contract (Grade A)
- Endorsements: Puma, Red Bull, Gulf Oil, Hero MotoCorp
- Paid social media collaborations
- TV commercials and brand campaigns
She’s only in her late 20s. Her best earning years are still ahead.
5. Harmanpreet Kaur: Power, Grit, and Commercial Value
Net Worth: ₹26 crore
Cricket fans remember that 171* against Australia in the 2017 World Cup. It remains one of the greatest innings ever played in any format by any gender. Harmanpreet Kaur has built a career on exactly that kind of match-winning ability.
She captains Mumbai Indians in the WPL and has played franchise cricket around the world. That global presence has boosted her commercial value significantly.
Income details:
- WPL salary as captain
- BCCI Grade A contract
- Endorsements with CEAT and Puma
- Stints in WBBL and The Hundred
- Appearances and speaking events
6. Sarah Taylor: Genius Behind the Stumps
Net Worth: ₹17 crore
Sarah Taylor is widely considered the most gifted wicketkeeper women’s cricket has ever seen. She retired early, partly due to anxiety, and her openness about mental health struggles made her a respected voice beyond cricket.
Post-retirement, Taylor shifted into high-demand coaching roles and took up commentary with Sky Sports. Her technical knowledge translates into boardrooms and coaching sessions equally well.
7. Holly Ferling: From Fast Bowler to Broadcast Star
Net Worth: ₹13 crore
Holly Ferling first got attention as a teenage fast bowler with raw pace. She later built an equally successful second career in broadcasting. Not many cricketers manage that transition well. She did.
Her income now includes Cricket Australia contracts, hosting and presenting roles, and media partnerships that pay consistently well.
8. Isa Guha: Cricket’s Most Recognised Female Voice
Net Worth: ₹13 crore
Isa Guha barely needs an introduction. She’s been on BBC, Sky Sports, Fox Cricket, and hosted The Hundred. You’ve heard her voice whether you follow women’s cricket closely or not.
As a former England bowler, she brings credibility. As a broadcaster, she brings clarity and warmth. Brands and networks both want her.
Her income comes from:
- Long-term BBC and Sky Sports contracts
- Fox Cricket presenting role
- Brand ambassador deals
- Public speaking and events
9. Sana Mir: Pakistan’s Barrier-Breaker
Net Worth: ₹11 crore
Sana Mir played cricket in Pakistan when women’s sport had almost no infrastructure, no money, and very little public attention. She pushed through anyway and became one of the country’s most decorated athletes.
Since retirement, she’s worked as a UN Women ambassador, done ESPN commentary, and built a name for herself as a public speaker on gender equality in sport.
10. Dane van Niekerk: South Africa’s Quiet Achiever
Net Worth: ₹9 crore
Dane van Niekerk may not have the same name recognition as Perry or Mandhana, but she’s built a solid financial foundation through franchise cricket globally. WBBL, The Hundred, and coaching assignments keep her earnings steady.
11. Jhulan Goswami: The Chakda Express
Net Worth: ₹8 crore
Jhulan Goswami holds the record for most wickets taken in women’s international cricket. Over 350 scalps across formats. The nickname “Chakda Express” came from her explosive run-up and searing pace.
The 2022 Netflix film Chakda Xpress, inspired by her story, added a new chapter to her legacy and a new income stream. She now coaches young Indian pacers and remains deeply connected to BCCI.
Sources of income:
- BCCI salary and pension
- Brand endorsements
- Film royalties
- Coaching fees
Expert Analysis: Why Women’s Cricket Wealth Is Rising
Three forces have pushed women’s cricket earnings to new levels. Understanding them helps explain why this list will look very different in five years.
The WPL Effect
The Women’s Premier League launched in 2023 and immediately changed the salary conversation. For the first time, Indian women cricketers were earning crores per season. The auction system, live coverage on JioCinema, and massive BCCI backing made it more than a league. It became proof that women’s cricket had genuine commercial value.
Global League Explosion
| League | Country | Top Player Earnings (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| WPL | India | ₹3–4 crore per season |
| WBBL | Australia | AUD 100,000–180,000 |
| The Hundred | England | £15,000–£35,000 per edition |
| FairBreak Global | International | Varies, growing year on year |
These leagues stack on top of central contracts. A top player can earn from three or four leagues in a single year.
Brand Investment Is Real Now
Puma, Red Bull, Commonwealth Bank, Adidas, and Gulf Oil now sign female cricketers to long-term deals. That wasn’t happening ten years ago. Brands follow audiences, and audiences for women’s cricket have grown fast.
The 2023 Women’s World Cup drew record viewership. The WPL final filled a stadium in Mumbai. Numbers like those shift budgets.
Indian Women vs Australian Women: A Wealth Comparison
| Category | Indian Players | Australian Players |
|---|---|---|
| Top earner | Mithali Raj (₹43 cr) | Ellyse Perry (₹120 cr) |
| Key income driver | WPL + BCCI contracts | WBBL + Cricket Australia + global endorsements |
| Endorsement market | Large and growing | Smaller but well-established |
| Media opportunities | Growing rapidly | Mature, well-paying |
| League salary ceiling | ₹3–4 crore (WPL) | AUD 180,000 (WBBL) |
Australia leads on individual net worth because Cricket Australia has invested in women’s cricket far longer. India is closing that gap fast thanks to the WPL and BCCI’s growing commitment.
Practical Takeaway for Readers
If you’re following women’s cricket as a fan or tracking it as a business case, here’s what to watch:
- WPL auction prices each year signal where investment is flowing
- Players with broadcast skills earn more post-retirement
- Indian players now compete globally with Australians in commercial value
- Social media following directly affects sponsorship deals
- The richest women cricket board driving these salaries is the BCCI, which now invests in women’s cricket through the WPL structure
Conclusion
The list of the richest women cricketers in the world tells a bigger story than just money. It reflects a sport that fought for decades to be taken seriously. Ellyse Perry’s ₹120 crore, Smriti Mandhana’s WPL record, and Mithali Raj’s enduring legacy all point in the same direction.
Women’s cricket is no longer waiting for recognition. It’s earning it. League by league, deal by deal, innings by innings. The players on this list built wealth the hard way: through skill, consistency, and the willingness to stay in a sport when the rewards were barely there.
The next generation won’t have to wait as long.
FAQs
- Who is the richest woman cricketer in the world?
Ellyse Perry holds the top spot with a net worth of approximately ₹120 crore as of 2025. Her income comes from WBBL contracts, Cricket Australia deals, and major sponsorships including Adidas.
- Who is the richest women cricketer in India?
Mithali Raj leads among Indian players with an estimated ₹43 crore net worth. Smriti Mandhana follows at ₹35 crore, with her WPL earnings and brand deals driving rapid growth.
- What is Smriti Mandhana’s net worth in 2025?
Smriti Mandhana’s net worth is approximately ₹35 crore. Her ₹3.4 crore WPL deal, BCCI Grade A contract, and endorsements with brands like Puma and Red Bull are her primary income sources.
- What is Mithali Raj’s net worth and how did she build it?
Mithali Raj’s net worth is around ₹43 crore. She built it through a long BCCI career, brand endorsements, royalties from her biopic Shabaash Mithu, and post-retirement commentary and corporate speaking work.
- Which cricket board pays women cricketers the most?
Cricket Australia and the BCCI are the two strongest boards when it comes to women’s pay. The BCCI’s WPL has significantly raised the ceiling for Indian players, while Cricket Australia has offered structured equal pay and strong domestic league salaries for years.
