Legendary former Indian player Sunil Gavaskar has slammed the fee structure in place in Indian domestic cricket, stating the fact that many hard-working Indian cricketers often miss out on a big paycheck despite getting success at the Ranji Trophy level as well.
On the same note, Gavaskar added that many uncapped Indian players often get a big amount after being bought in the IPL auction, despite not deserving it as much as those who do the hard work in the Ranji Trophy. Gavaskar has also urged the BCCI to reconsider its pay structure for domestic cricket and increase it as well. He cited the example of the recently retired Priyank Panchal, who amassed nearly 9,000 runs in first-class cricket, smashing 29 centuries but never playing for India.
“Apart from not getting the India cap, he also wouldn’t have much to show in his bank balance, despite spending the better part of his youth trying to make a career and a living out of the game. It is here that the lopsided nature of remuneration for other domestic tournaments and that of the IPL, another domestic tournament, stands out,” Sunil Gavaskar wrote in his column for Sportstar.
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“It’s doubtful if, after playing for two decades in all kinds of weather conditions all over the country, including the bitter cold in the North of India and extreme heat elsewhere, and also amid rains sometimes, Panchal has made even Rs. 3 crore in Ranji Trophy fees. Compare this with uncapped players in the IPL who make Rs. 3 crore-plus a season and often do not even play a single game,” Gavaskar further added.
However, Sunil Gavaskar also said that the suggestion that this depends on market forces is not a valid argument because the selection of several uncapped cricketers is often a matter of fortune. He also proposed the idea of a slab system for fees in domestic cricket for those who enter the knockout stages of the tournament.
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“The argument that it is market forces is not really valid, for more often than not, it is sheer good fortune as some franchises want to take a punt with young talent. Have a look at the uncapped crorepatis throughout the IPL, and you will find that very few have gone on to do big things for India. It’s their good luck that has made them the crores that they actually don’t deserve,” Gavaskar said.
“Money is not the issue for the BCCI and its affiliated units, so hopefully, these suggestions will be considered before the new domestic season starts,” Sunil Gavaskar concluded.
