On January 11, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) held a review meeting in Mumbai to analyze India’s performance in the recently concluded five-match Test series against Australia. Present at the meeting were captain Rohit Sharma, head coach Gautam Gambhir, and chief selector Ajit Agarkar. The discussions also included suggestions to introduce a performance-based variable pay structure for players, according to a report by the Indian Express on Tuesday.
The proposal aims to make players more accountable for their performances, with potential pay cuts if their performances fall short of expectations. The idea behind the suggestion is to ensure that players remain committed to delivering high standards in their matches.
According to the source, the plan could impact earnings if any player’s performance is deemed unsatisfactory. “It was one of the suggestions that players should be held accountable, and if their performance is deemed not fit as per expectations, they should face variable pay cuts,” the source said.
WATCH – Kapil Dev Responds To Yograj Singh’s Controversial Remarks With Subtle Dismissal
This idea follows the introduction of a performance incentive system by the BCCI in 2022-23 for its Test players. Players who feature in more than 50% of the Test matches in a season are rewarded with a financial incentive of Rs 30 lakh per game. This increases to Rs 45 lakh per game for players who participate in at least 75% of the season’s matches.
BCCI introduces major changes for the Indian cricket team: family stays capped at 2 weeks during overseas tours, and a performance-based pay structure is on the horizon.
#Cricket #BCCI #IndianCricket #PerformancePay pic.twitter.com/K45KTArsnd— Deccan Chronicle (@DeccanChronicle) January 14, 2025
During the meeting, there was also a discussion about some players not giving enough importance to Test cricket, with reports suggesting a lack of intent in certain matches. “There was a 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 added.
ALSO READ: BCCI Introduces New Guidelines On Cricketers’ WAGs and Team Discipline
India’s performance in the 2024-25 season has been underwhelming. They have managed to win only three of their 10 Test matches, including their first-ever home loss to New Zealand. Despite winning the opening Test against Australia by 295 runs, India lost three of the remaining four matches, conceding the series 1-3.
