“The domestic match fee structure will witness an over 200% hike”. That’s a claim in the BCCI statement, issued on the instructions of the Committee of Administrators (CoA), while announcing the much-delayed player contracts for 2017-18.
In reality, however, the announcement would only serve as a change in mechanism and not result in much of a pay-hike when it comes to the actual income.
At present, the BCCI pays domestic cricketers in two instalments. While ₹10,000 per match day is paid on a match-by-match basis, the remaining — calculated on a pro-rata basis based on the share from the BCCI’s gross revenue share (GRS) after the annual accounts are ratified in the AGM — is paid just before the start of the next season.
“In a way, the 200% hike is nothing but an eyewash. Players will continue to earn the same, just that they will be paid up front rather than waiting for the accounts to be ratified,” said a BCCI insider.
However, the CoA thinktank differs with this view. While CoA chairman Vinod Rai refrained from commenting, a source close to the CoA stressed that the new system will be effective. “Over and above the fixed match fee of ₹35,000, the GRS share will also be passed on to the domestic cricketers wherever applicable,” he said.
Senior cricketers are not impressed. Wasim Jaffer, the nine-time Ranji Trophy winner, feels the BCCI should raise the match fee more. “It’s a welcome step but not an ideal one. The need of the hour is a steeper hike,” he told The Hindu.