The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is considering raising Test match payments as well as offering an additional incentive to entice players to stick with the conventional format. The action follows Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer’s unwillingness to play domestic cricket in favour of preparing for the impending 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL).
Despite repeated warnings from BCCI secretary Jay Shah, the aforementioned players maintained their position against red-ball cricket. While there have been discussions of removing such individuals from the central contract list entirely, it is unclear if such a drastic choice would be made.
Players now receive ₹15 lakh for Tests, ₹6 lakh for ODIs, and ₹3 lakh per T20I match. While reasonable, these payments could increase to further. According to the Indian Express, the remuneration structure for the longest format may undergo significant changes. Furthermore, players who participate in every Test series for the country in a calendar year will get an extra bonus on top of their core contract earnings.
“For example, if someone plays all Test series in a calendar year, he should be rewarded additionally, apart from the annual retainer contract. This is to ensure that players turn out for more red-ball cricket. This would be an additional perk for playing Test cricket,” a source in the board told the BCCI.
Rohit Sharma also addressed the situation during the post-match news conference following India’s fourth Test victory against England in Ranchi.
“This (Test cricket) is the toughest format. And if you want success and want to excel in this tough format then you need that hunger. It is very important. We will give opportunity only to players who have that hunger. You come to know the players who don’t have that hunger or players who don’t want to stay here.”
Rohit Sharma
While India has proven resilient minus main stars, the impending lineup shift warrants attention. Performance overseas hangs in the balance as the team’s structure evolves.
BCCI to boost Test cricket with match fee hike after IPL 2024
The BCCI is expected to adopt the proposed match price increase and incentive plan once the IPL 2024 season concludes. Team India is almost halfway through its responsibilities for the 2023-25 World Test Championship (WTC).
The Men in Blue will face challenging away series against Australia after facing Sri Lanka and New Zealand at home following the T20 World Cup. The five-match contest will test the team.