Table of Contents
The Ranji Trophy, India’s premier domestic cricket tournament, has undergone a financial transformation in recent years, with prize money now rivalling international tournaments. Vidarbha’s third Ranji Trophy triumph in seven years not only brought glory but also a significant financial reward. Let’s explore how the prize money compares to global cricket events, the breakdown of player salaries, and what this means for Indian domestic cricket.
Vidarbha’s triumph and historic prize money
On Sunday, Akshay Wadkar-led Vidarbha clinched their third Ranji Trophy title at the VCA Stadium in Nagpur. The final against Kerala ended in a draw, but Vidarbha was declared the winner based on their first-innings lead. This victory earned Vidarbha INR 5 crore in prize money, a substantial increase from the INR 2 crore awarded to winners before 2023. Kerala, as runners-up, received INR 3 crore.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced a significant hike in domestic tournament prize money in April 2023. This increase reflects the board’s commitment to strengthening domestic cricket, which is often overshadowed by the Indian Premier League (IPL). For context, the losing semi-finalists of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will receive $560,000 (approximately INR 5.2 crore), just INR 20 lakh more than Vidarbha’s reward.
A Comparison with ICC Champions Trophy 2025
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 highlights the stark contrast between domestic and international cricket rewards. While the Champions Trophy winner will take home $2.24 million (INR 20.8 crore) and the runner-up $1.12 million (INR 10.4 crore), the semi-finalists’ prize money closely aligns with Ranji Trophy winners. This parity underscores BCCI’s efforts to elevate domestic cricket’s stature and incentivize players to participate actively.
Prize money breakdown: Ranji Trophy vs Champions Trophy
| Tournament Stage | Prize Money |
| Ranji Trophy Winner | INR 5 crore |
| Ranji Trophy Runner-Up | INR 3 crore |
| ICC Champions Trophy Semi-Finalists | ~INR 5.2 crore |
| ICC Champions Trophy Winner | ~INR 20.8 crore |
Also READ: Fans react Karun Nair leads Vidarbha to their 3rd Ranji Trophy title after a draw against Kerala in the 2024-25 final
Ranji player salary breakdown
Beyond team rewards, individual players also benefit financially through match fees and retainerships. The BCCI revised player salaries in recent years to ensure parity with other formats like IPL.
Ranji Trophy Match Fees (2023-24 Season onwards)
- Players with 41-60 matches: INR 60,000 per day (playing XI), INR 30,000 per day (reserves)
- Players with 21-40 matches: INR 50,000 per day (playing XI), INR 25,000 per day (reserves)
- Players with 0-20 matches: INR 40,000 per day (playing XI), INR 20,000 per day (reserves)
- Non-playing squad members: INR 25,000 per day
For tournaments like Vijay Hazare and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophies:
- Vijay Hazare follows a similar pay structure but on a per-match basis.
- Syed Mushtaq Ali players earn INR 17,500 per game.
I’m pleased to announce an increase in prize money for all @BCCI Domestic Tournaments. We will continue our efforts to invest in Domestic Cricket – which is the backbone of Indian Cricket. Ranji winners to get ₹5 crores (from 2 cr), Sr Women winners ₹50 lacs (from 6 lacs)🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/Cgpw47z98q
— Jay Shah (@JayShah) April 16, 2023
A senior player participating in an entire Ranji season can earn approximately INR 25 lakh from match fees alone. With proposed salary hikes under consideration by the BCCI, top performers could potentially earn up to INR 75 lakh annually—bringing them closer to IPL-level earnings.
The financial overhaul signifies BCCI’s intent to revive interest in red-ball cricket amid growing competition from franchise leagues. Concerns over declining quality and player workload have prompted discussions among stakeholders like Ajit Agarkar to further enhance domestic cricket’s appeal.
Vidarbha’s success story exemplifies how increased financial rewards can motivate teams and players to excel at the domestic level. Karun Nair’s standout performance this season—scoring over 800 runs—further highlights the talent pool nurtured by tournaments like the Ranji Trophy.
