Sunil Gavaskar, one of India’s most revered cricketing legends, has once again turned the spotlight on a topic often brushed under the carpet—fair remuneration for domestic cricketers. In his recent column for Sportstar, Gavaskar raised concerns over the stark disparity in earnings between players grinding it out in the Ranji Trophy and uncapped cricketers who, despite limited experience or achievements, pocket massive paychecks in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Gavaskar’s sharp critique centred around the recently retired Gujarat stalwart Priyank Panchal. With over 9,000 first-class runs, including 29 centuries, Panchal remains one of India’s finest domestic performers never to don the national cap. Despite years of consistency and commitment, he never earned an IPL contract, largely due to his classical style, which doesn’t align with the flashy brand of T20 cricket.
His situation, Gavaskar feels, symbolizes the wider problem in Indian cricket’s pay structure. The former India captain lamented that even after two decades of tireless service in domestic cricket—often in extreme weather across varied Indian conditions—Panchal likely didn’t make even ₹3 crore through match fees.
ALSO READ: RCB Celebration Turns Tragic: Stampede Sparks Allegations of Political Pressure and Police Lapses
By contrast, uncapped players routinely secure IPL deals of ₹3 crore or more, sometimes without even getting a single game. “It’s not just about not wearing the India cap; it’s also about the lack of financial rewards for all those years of dedication,” Sunil Gavaskar wrote.
Addressing the common defense that IPL earnings are driven by “market forces,” Sunil Gavaskar argued that many such selections are simply strokes of luck. He questioned the wisdom behind franchises gambling on inexperienced players while seasoned domestic stalwarts are ignored, both financially and professionally. “If you look at these uncapped crorepatis, very few go on to represent India,” he observed, highlighting the skewed nature of opportunity and reward.
ALSO READ: Andy Flower Reflects on RCB’s Aggressive Bid for Venkatesh Iyer in IPL 2025 Auction
To rectify this imbalance, Gavaskar proposed a slab-based fee structure for domestic cricket—one that increases payouts based on the number of matches played and progression to knockout stages. “The BCCI isn’t short of money. It’s high time we ensured our domestic players are treated with respect, both emotionally and financially,” he concluded.
His comments resonate as a powerful reminder that behind every international star lies a vast pool of unsung heroes, quietly fueling the engine of Indian cricket.
