I am here again, to laud BCCI for a wonderful initiative. After the diktat of representing their respective state teams to those players who are not part of the Indian team but are in their state teams, the board has come up with one more laudable decision. Awarding players who prefer Test cricket and thereby helping to not only safeguard the traditional format but also prompt a change of heart in those players who feel that they can still play Test cricket and earn a luxurious living. With a couple of excellent initiatives, BCCI has done something to the players who are depended on this game for their livelihood.
The lifespan of anyone in sports, is short. For the exceptionally good, it could be 13-15 years whereas for the good players, it could be between 10-13 years. Everyone else, will fall in the 5-year category. It makes their careers extremely short. Once they are out of the sport, they will hardly know how to lead their lives. The pitiable state of India’s first bowler who bowled the first delivery in the Ranji Trophy, Shri. M.J. Gopalan, comes to mind. He lived in a home that had only one room. Ofcourse, the cricketers of this century are earning a lot more and they do have some plans for the future but it does not mean their lives are mapped completely.
If a cricketer or anyone in sports wants to make the most out of their playing career, it makes perfect sense. He or she will have to secure themselves financially. For every Kohli earning in millions, there is always an Ashok Dinda who has already retired without much financial security. Those cricketers who are earning in millions in the IPL or other lucrative leagues are blessed. Equally, others aren’t that lucky.
The measures of the BCCI
Toward that end, what the BCCI has come up with is not only laudable but soothing too. I hope that this is only a start and that there are more to come.
The BCCI has announced “Test Cricket Incentive Scheme”. It proposes to increase the match-fee of any player by 300% if he plays in more than 75% of the Tests played in a calendar year.
“This scheme is not only designed to encourage players to engage in the purest format of the sport but also addresses the evolving dynamics of the cricketing landscape, ensuring parity with match fees in other formats and league cricket,” the BCCI said in a statement, with president Roger Binny saying, “This initiative aligns with our vision of promoting Test cricket as the pinnacle of the sport.”
Pujara and Rahane
The heartwarming feature of this scheme is that it will be applied retrospectively from 2022-2023. It actually means that Pujara who was considered only for Test cricket and Rahane will also benefit from the largesse of the board. Pujara will earn 45 Lakhs more per Test that he featured in. Pujara and Rahane are not in the scheme of things any longer. Both of them have played their final Test already. With the arrival of Devdutt Padikkal, Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Sarfaraz Khan, Jurel and a host of youngsters waiting in the wings, it will be safe to assume that both Pujara and Rahane will not find their way back into the Test team.
However, to honour their services, this is a good decision. Rahane will be remembered forever for the series win in Australia win all seemed lost. Pujara too will be remembered for his exploits in Australia that resulted in twin series victories consecutively. The famous words of Josh Hazlewood, will linger in the air until the game remains. He said that he was sick of the sight of Pujara on the wicket. Pujara and Rahane will feel elated that they have not been forgotten nor are their contribution to the team. This one move by the BCCI, has had me flabbergasted. Great work BCCI.
Thanks to Shreyas and Ishan
This change would not have occurred if Shreyas and Ishan Kishan hadn’t refused to follow the diktat of the BCCI and play for their state teams. Their insubordination has rightly terminated their contracts for the year and has also made the BCCI think about the players choosing and dictating to the board. Would they have learned a lesson because of their arrogance? Would they repeat the same? Only time will tell. For the moment, let us applaud the board for being firm and making the right decision.
Fast bowlers contract
Another good move was to award fast bowling contracts to 5 bowlers who are promising. Now, these bowlers can concentrate on their craft and become a better bowler and play for the nation for a very longtime. This must free them from financial worries and
Push by other boards
This may have prompted other boards. The English and Australian boards have planned to approach the ICC to set a benchmark for minimum payments for Test cricket to 20K AUD per game. Countries like the West Indies pay their players just 5000AUD per game which is by far the lowest among the Test playing nations. I don’t know whether every board will be able to afford a fee of 20K. Most of the boards do not earn as high as India or England or Australia. They are finding it difficult to make ends meet. This slab of 20K may not be possible but there will be a compromise formula as a result of which the players of less richer boards will also be able to earn decently.
Wrapping up increased pay for the Indians
I am a harsh critique of the Board of Control for Cricket in India. However, in this instance, I can only admire the intention of trying to make the Ranji Trophy relevant.
Other blogs about the board
https://icricketcritique.com/roger-binny-the-new-bcci-president/
https://icricketcritique.com/one-more-warning-for-the-administrators/
https://icricketcritique.com/removal-of-the-entire-indian-selection-panel/
https://icricketcritique.com/the-role-of-a-cricket-captain/
https://icricketcritique.com/rohit-dravid-the-team-and-the-board/
https://icricketcritique.com/the-curious-case-of-sarfaraz-khan/
https://icricketcritique.com/the-importance-of-the-ranji-trophy/