The BCCI is reportedly mulling to introduce performance-based variable pay for Indian cricketers after the 1-3 loss to Australia in Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The decision was considered when captain Rohit Sharma, coach Gautam Gambhir, chief selector Ajit Agarkar and other board members met on Saturday to review the team’s performance in Down Under. As per report, the move is aimed at making the players more “accountable” for their performances.
Performance-based variable pay for Indian players?
As per Indian Express, the move to introduce performance-based variable pay for Indian cricketers is aimed at handing pay cuts to the players, should they fail to deliver on performance. The report states that “the system is said to be formulated on the lines of how corporate houses appraise their employees annually.”
“It was one of the suggestions given that players should be held accountable and if their performance is deemed not fit as per expectations, they should face variable pay-cuts,” a source said.
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It is pertinent to point out that the BCCI had introduced incentives in 2024 for those players preferring Tests. It was a part of the board’s initiative to attract cricketers towards the longer format of the game and away from IPL and white-ball cricket. According to it, players who have featured in the playing XI of more than 50 per cent of Tests in a season since 2022-23 would receive a financial incentive of Rs 30 lakh per game.
No value for Tests?
Apart from mulling pay-cuts based on performance, the review meeting also saw the stakeholders discuss the importance shown towards Test cricket by players. One of the points that was reportedly raised was that if some of the players were indifferent to India’s losses in Tests. The report claimed that while the team management understood the value of Tests, many players did not.
“There was discussion whether the current players were a bit indifferent when India loses a Test match. The team management understands the value of Test cricket but many players don’t give too much importance to it,” the source said.
