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In a surprising turn of events, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is reportedly set to introduce a revised pay structure in response to the recent controversy surrounding Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer. The decision comes after both players opted out of the Ranji Trophy 2023-24 domestic tournament, leading to discussions and backlash. This move by BCCI indicates a strategic shift in encouraging players, especially youngsters, to prioritize Test cricket, an aspect often overshadowed by limited-overs formats.
The controversy involving Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer
The controversy began when Kishan and Iyer voluntarily decided to skip the Ranji Trophy despite not being part of the Indian national team at the time. BCCI responded by issuing a direct order for all players not involved with the national team to participate in the domestic tournament. However, the situation escalated when both players defied this directive, with Kishan joining the Pandya brothers for IPL training and Iyer citing a back injury, a claim refuted by the National Cricket Academy (NCA) chief head of sports science and medicine.
Rumours about possible termination of central contracts
Initial reports suggested that BCCI might terminate the central contracts of Iyer and Kishan due to their defiance of the management’s orders. However, recent developments have taken a surprising turn.
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BCCI to introduce revised pay structure
According to reports by Indian Express, the BCCI is now considering a revised pay structure, retaining the existing match fees for international players: ₹15 lakh for a Test, ₹6 lakh per ODI, and ₹3 lakh per T20I. The key addition to this structure is a bonus awarded to players participating in all Test series that India plays in a calendar year.
The vision behind this new approach
The decision to introduce a bonus for Test players aims to give equal importance to Test matches and incentivize cricketers, especially emerging talents,. Historically, the longer format of the game has faced challenges in retaining player interest and commitment, often taking a backseat to the more glamorous and financially rewarding limited-overs formats.
Implementation and impact
If the proposed pay structure is approved, it is expected to take effect after the IPL 2024. This move aligns with BCCI’s efforts to strike a balance and promote a more comprehensive approach to cricket, emphasizing the significance of Test cricket in shaping a player’s overall skills and temperament.
