The BCCI is considering increasing Test match fees and offering extra incentives to attract players to the traditional red-ball format.
Recent weeks have seen a fair share of controversy surrounding domestic red-ball cricket in India. Some top-notch cricketers have been opting out of the Ranji Trophy, citing minor injuries and the need for workload management. Instead, they seem to be channeling their focus towards the lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL).
Despite warnings from BCCI Secretary Jay Shah, these players are holding firm in their reluctance to engage in red-ball cricket. There is ongoing discussion about the possibility of removing them from the central contract list, but whether a definitive action will be taken remains uncertain.
Currently, players are compensated ₹15 lakh for Test match fees, ₹6 lakh for ODIs, and ₹3 lakh for T20Is. According to a report from the Indian Express, there is a significant potential revision in the pay structure for Test matches on the horizon.
To address this issue, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is reportedly considering a reassessment of the annual retainership contracts. The focus of this review is to potentially enhance the value for players involved in red-ball cricket.
Furthermore, there’s consideration for an additional bonus for players participating in all Test series for the country within a calendar year, in addition to their central contract fees.
“The board has asked for recommendations from the Indian team management. They are taking a very aggressive approach towards maintaining the sanctity of the longest format of the game. It is imperative that players who are committed to first-class cricket are rewarded at a similar level as IPL cricket. That would mean that existing remuneration has to be multiplied,” a BCCI source quoted.
According to the insider information, there’s information suggesting that the BCCI is considering a significant boost in Test match and first-class fees, potentially tripling the current rates. This implies that a player who participates in every match during a Ranji Trophy season could potentially earn around INR 75 lakh, equivalent to an IPL contract.
“The recommendations are on the lines of increasing the Test match and first-class fees by three times. The idea is that if a player plays the entire Ranji Trophy, he should be able to make around Rs 75 lakhs which matches an average IPL contract. It has also been suggested that if a player plays all Test matches in a year, he should be able to make Rs 15 crores which is at par for any marquee IPL contract,” the source added.
After IPL 2024, the BCCI plans to implement the proposed hike in match fees and incentives for players.
Comments 1