By The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is contemplating a significant raise in remuneration for domestic players, with Ajit Agarkar’s selection committee tasked with devising implementation strategies. While an immediate announcement of increased match fees is unlikely, the national selection committee has discussed the proposal to ensure that domestic players not participating in the IPL do not feel disadvantaged.
Various plans are being considered, but there is unanimous agreement within the BCCI that the fees for domestic cricketers should be doubled at the very least. There is also a consensus that players should be able to earn between INR 75 lakh to INR 1 crore annually if they have played 10 Ranji Trophy games.
Currently, the BCCI pays INR 60,000 a day to players with more than 40 Ranji games, INR 50,000 to those with 21 to 40 games, and INR 40,000 for those with 20 games. Reserves earn INR 30,000, INR 25,000, and INR 20,000 respectively. On this payment scale, a senior cricketer could earn up to INR 25 lakh if their side reaches the final, with other team members making between INR 17 lakh and INR 22 lakh.
Up to INR 1 Crore Earnings Possible for Indian Domestic Players
Additionally, players will earn from other BCCI events, such as white-ball tournaments like the Vijay Hazare and Mushtaq Ali tournaments. There is a strong likelihood that player remuneration will be increased from the next season as the BCCI is planning to maximize earnings for domestic players.
This plan aims to incentivize domestic players to participate in the Ranji Trophy. Some players avoided playing red-ball cricket last season to reduce injury risks and stay fit for the IPL. The idea aligns with the BCCI’s goal of promoting red-ball cricket. BCCI secretary Jay Shah previously announced higher match fees for those playing Test matches.
Sunil Gavaskar welcomed Jay Shah’s announcement and suggested doubling or tripling fees for domestic cricketers. He stated, “If the Ranji Trophy fees can be doubled or tripled, certainly there’ll be a lot more people playing the Ranji Trophy, and a lot less pullouts, because if the fees for playing a Ranji Trophy match are good, there will be fewer people pulling out for various reasons.”
