BCCI could introduce performance-based pay cuts for Team India players, says report

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly brought up several restrictions following India’s forgettable Test tour to Australia, where they lost the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series 1-3. Wives, girlfriends and other family members will now be allowed to travel with the players for only two weeks during a tour that lasts 45 days or more. Should the tours be much shorter, they can stay with the players for one week. The BCCI recently held a performance review meeting with captain Rohit Sharma, head coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar.

Performance-based pay cuts for players 

Another significant move that the BCCI is reportedly considering is that of variable pay structure based on the performance of players. “It was one of the suggestions given that players should be held accountable and if their performance is deemed not fit as per expectations, they should face variable pay-cuts,” a source was quoted as saying by The Indian Express.

In 2024, the BCCI had brought up a performance-based incentive, wherein players who feature in the playing XI in more than 50 per cent of Tests in a season since 2022-23 will receive Rs 30 lakh. Similarly, if a player played in 75 per cent Tests during a season, that player would get Rs 45 lakh. These incentives had been introduced to motivate players to play Tests at a time when the cricketing calendar is dominated by T20 leagues like the IPL and BBL.

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The team management also reportedly believes that players don’t give much importance to Tests like they do for the white-ball formats. “There was 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,” a source told The Indian Express.

This comes at a time when Devajit Saikia and Prabhtej Singh Bhatia have taken over as BCCI secretary and treasurer respectively.

India defeated Bangladesh 2-0 in a two-match Test series at home, but went down 0-3 to New Zealand soon after, also at home. Their latest setback in the longest format was their series loss to Australia Down Under.

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The next major assignment for Team India is the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy that will take place in Pakistan and Dubai. India will open their campaign against Bangladesh on 20 February, before facing Pakistan (23 February) and New Zealand (2 March), with the Men in Blue playing all of their matches in Dubai.