IPL cricket can be cruel at times, for certain players, who don’t get a contract from any franchise. While it gives a lot of financial security to the bought players, perhaps a player with the same skillset, who plays in the same state team and doesn’t get IPL contract, might suffer financially.
Money loading for Mumbai players
Just to end this disparity, at least to a small level, the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has come up with annual contracts for the domestic players. This contract is for the players who are playing for India or any of the IPL franchises. As per a report in the Times of India, this would be effective from the 2026-27 season.
The MCA’s Apex Council decided that the players will be divided in three grades — A, B, C. The A grade players will get a sum of 12 lakh to 20 lakh per annum, Grade B will be between 8 lakh to 12 lakh, and Grade C players will receive INR 8 lakh.
“This initiative marks a new era for Mumbai cricket. We are proud to be the first association to implement a player contract system—a progressive step that will provide greater security, structure, and growth opportunities for our Mumbai players,” MCA president Ajinkya Naik told TOI.
There is some eligibility criteria as well, to be able to avail the benefits. These are — The player should be registered with MCA, The player must meet the minimum fitness benchmarks set by the MCA, the player should not have represented the Indian team in any format in the past two seasons, The player should not be selected by an IPL team in the past two IPL seasons, and the player must be recommended by the selection committee.
Cricket
Mumbai players to receive annual contracts, Rohit Sharma-Sarfaraz Khan not eligible
