New Delhi: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced plans to increase remuneration for Test matches and first-class matches, as reported by the national media. BCCI officials have reportedly engaged in discussions with Captain Rohit Sharma and chief selector Ajit Agarkar regarding this decision.
Under the proposed remuneration plan, it is suggested that players who participate in the entire Ranji season could receive approximately Rs 75 lakh, which is comparable to an average IPL contract. Similarly, those who partake in a full year of Test matches may be entitled to Rs 15 crore, a figure reminiscent of the earnings of marquee players in the IPL.
The move comes shortly after the BCCI revealed the players’ annual contracts. In a notable development, Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan, who had conflicts with the management and refrained from playing Ranji Trophy matches, were released from their contracts, making way for younger talents.
Many former players have stood by the decision of the BCCI to release Iyer and Kishan, believing it will incentivize emerging talents to prioritise domestic competitions ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL). BCCI Secretary Jai Shah had previously warned players against neglecting domestic cricket in favour of IPL commitments.
Considering the current match fee structure, a player stands to earn approximately Rs 25 lakh by participating in all 10 Ranji matches in a season. Comparatively, the base price for a player in IPL auctions is set at Rs 20 lakh. It has been noted that some players, especially fast bowlers, are reluctant to subject their bodies to the demands of first-class cricket for an amount equivalent to the base price at IPL auctions.
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