The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is seriously considering a significant financial boost for domestic players. This move comes amidst concerns about a decline in the quality of red-ball cricket in India, with some players prioritizing white-ball formats like the IPL.
Addressing Financial Disparity and Encouraging Ranji Trophy
While an immediate announcement of a pay rise is unlikely, the BCCI‘s national selection committee has actively discussed the proposal. The primary aim is to ensure that domestic players who aren’t part of the lucrative IPL don’t feel financially disadvantaged compared to their IPL-contracted counterparts.
There seems to be a consensus within the BCCI that a minimum doubling of current domestic match fees is necessary. Some even propose that a player featuring in all 10 Ranji Trophy matches should be able to earn between INR 75 lakh and INR 1 crore annually.
Current Remuneration Structure
Currently, the BCCI’s pay structure for Ranji Trophy cricket is tiered based on a player’s experience. Players with over 40 matches receive INR 60,000 per day, those with 21-40 matches get INR 50,000, and those with 20 games or less get INR 40,000. Reserve players earn proportionally less. Under this system, a senior cricketer playing a full Ranji Trophy season, including the finals, could earn a maximum of INR 25 lakh, while others in the team might make between INR 17 lakh and INR 22 lakh.
Financial Boost Across Formats and Potential Timeline
The proposed changes would likely extend to other BCCI domestic tournaments like the Vijay Hazare Trophy and Mushtaq Ali Trophy. The BCCI is actively exploring ways to maximize domestic players’ earnings, potentially implementing the new structure as early as next season.
This initiative aligns with the BCCI’s broader goal of promoting red-ball cricket in India. Last season, several players opted out of the Ranji Trophy, prioritizing staying injury-free for the IPL. The BCCI hopes that a significant pay hike will incentivize players to prioritize the Ranji Trophy and contribute to a stronger talent pool for Test cricket.
Echoing Sunil Gavaskar’s Call
Sunil Gavaskar, the legendary Indian cricketer, previously advocated for a similar approach. He welcomed BCCI secretary Jay Shah’s announcement of increased match fees for Test players and suggested doubling or tripling domestic cricketers’ fees. He believes this would significantly boost Ranji Trophy participation and reduce player pullouts.
The BCCI’s proposed pay raise for domestic cricketers could be a game-changer for Indian cricket. By addressing financial concerns and promoting red-ball cricket, the BCCI is taking a vital step towards building a stronger national team across all formats.
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