BCCI planning ‘special’ pay for Test specialists

What’s the story?

A proposal by India captain Virat Kohli, regarding better pay for cricketers playing just one format of the game, could get the green signal after BCCI treasurer Anirudh Chaudhry proposed a revamped plan during the board’s recent financial meeting.

A BCCI source told CricketNext that there is an idea floating around about the creation of a Test fund, that’ll look into the interest of cricketers who play just the longer format, where money could be pulled in through the IPL auctions.

“Anirudh and Kohli’s thought process definitely match and he has come out with this proposal which not only looks at the interest of players like Cheteshwar Pujara — only plays the Test format - but also of Ranji Trophy players. It is an issue that was also brought up by Harbhajan Singh as he saw the poor pay structure in domestic cricket,” said the official.

In case you didn’t know…

Before the Champions Trophy, the coach of the national side, Anil Kumble, had asked for a hike for players with a central contract, following which Virat Kohli had proposed better pays for players who just play one format. Harbhajan Singh had also recently spoken out about the poor pay structure for players at the domestic level.

The heart of the matter

Using the cash-rich IPL’s resources, the plan will include having a cap on the fee of all Indian uncapped and overseas players, whereby the franchises will have the right to bid to whatever amount in order to purchase the player, but the chosen player will get only as much as the capped amount, and the rest of it will go to the fund.

The move will help players like Cheteshwar Pujara, who only ply their trade in the Test format, as well as Ranji Trophy players, who have been plagued with indifferent pay structures in the recent past.

What’s next?

The proposal, however, would still have to be approved by the Committee of Administrators, who will review the plan and take the final call.

Author’s take

While it’ll take time for the proposal to see the light of the day, it is a welcome move for ‘Test specialists’, who go through a dry financial spell when their India teammates play the IPL. Also, the balance between Tests and limited overs matches will have to be maintained now, especially with interest receding for the game’s longest format.