Match Fee Hike, Bonuses – BCCI’s Incentive Plan For Test Cricket: Report

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is considering a hike in match fees for Tests along with more bonuses for cricketers to boost red-ball participation, according to a report by Indian Express. With cricketers looking to save themselves for the Indian Premier League (IPL) and other T20 competitions, participation in red-ball cricket has taken a hit recently. However, BCCI have made it clear that all contracted players will have to take part in domestic cricket if they are not playing with the national side at the moment. The report claims that BCCI are now looking at financial incentives for cricketers and that can even include bonuses that will be paid if a player plays all Test series in a calendar year.

“For example, if someone plays all Test series in a calendar year, he should be rewarded additionally, apart from the annual retainer contract. This is to ensure that players turn out for more red-ball cricket. This would be an additional perk for playing Test cricket,” a BCCI source told Indian Express.

The report further stated that this new remuneration model will be implemented after IPL 2024 if it is approved by all parties. Currently,  the BCCI pays Rs 15 lakh as match fees per Test, 6 lakh per ODI and 3 lakh for T20 internationals. However, that can be revised in the new suggested model.

Meanwhile, India skipper Rohit Sharma celebrated the Test series win over England by saying his team’s young players had filled the shoes of missing veterans to shine in cricket’s toughest format.

India won the fourth Test by five wickets after they pulled off a tricky chase of 192 on day four in Ranchi, with wicketkeeper-batsman Dhruv Jurel (39) and Shubman Gill (52) in an unbeaten stand of 72.

India had slipped to 120-5 but Jurel and Shubman remained calm as the hosts took an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match series after losing the opener.

Man of the match Jurel, 23, who made his debut in the previous win in Rajkot, turned the match on its head with his 90 after he lifted India from 177-7 in their first innings to 307 on day three.

(With AFP inputs)