Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announce a significant financial gift for the Indian men’s cricket test team following their 4-1 series win against England in Dharamsala.
This announcement aims to incentivize players and provide stability to those playing in the longest format of the game.
BCCI secretary Jay Shah highlight the details as the increase payouts for those playing a higher percentage of matches.
As per the structure, players who have feature in the playing XI of more than 50% of Tests in a season since 2022-23 will get their match fees double per game.
And the BCCI has set aside a total Rs. 40 crore for this scheme.
Jay Shah wrote on X :
I am pleased to announce the initiation of the 'Test Cricket Incentive Scheme' for Senior Men, a step aimed at providing financial growth and stability to our esteemed athletes. Commencing from the 2022-23 season, the 'Test Cricket Incentive Scheme' will serve as an additional… pic.twitter.com/Rf86sAnmuk
— Jay Shah (@JayShah) March 9, 2024
This strategic move by the BCCI acknowledges the challenges associate with Test cricket in today’s fast-pace cricketing era.
This scheme intends to make Test matches financially more attractive for players, potentially encouraging them to prioritize the format.
Also this announcement comes at a crucial time for Test cricket, with shorter formats like T20s gaining immense popularity.
Added to that is the backdrop of Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan, two young batters under scrutiny for missing out on Ranji Trophy matches, who lost their central contracts.
After a huge win in the fourth Test against England, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma also express that players who value and show hunger for Test cricket will be given preference to don the whites.
| Matches Played | Assuming 9 Tests in a Season | Playing XI Incentive (INR) | Non-Playing XI Incentive (INR) |
| Less than 50% | Less than 4 | Not Applicable | Not Applicable |
| More than 50% | 5 & 6 | 30 lakhs per match | 15 lakhs per match |
| More than 75% | 7 or more | 45 lakhs per match | 22.5 lakhs per match |
Now let us understand this scheme, Assuming that atleast 10 Test matches are in a season, players playing less than 50% or less than 5 matches will not be applicable for the scheme.
Players who play six to seven Tests (more than 50%) will be given the incentive of Rs 30 lakh per match on being in playing eleven or Rs 15 lakh per match if not include in playing eleven.
Players who play more than seven matches (more than 75%) of matches will be given an incentive of Rs 45 lakhs per match on being include in playing XI or Rs 22 lakh per match if not include in playing XI.
