Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to increase the match fees of players in Test cricket. As per the reports in Indian Express, it is learned that the governing body is taking the step to attract players towards the longest format of the game.
The BCCI is taking this step after the recent saga of Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer. The duo didn’t take part in the Ranji Trophy despite the warnings by BCCI secretary Jay Shah and instead were seen practising for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024.
There were reports that BCCI is unhappy with Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer and the duo might end up losing their annual contracts. The governing body soon will be announcing the contract list and it remains to be seen if the duo will be there or not.
To make sure that more players don’t follow in the footsteps of Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer, the governing body is keen to hike the salaries. The Indian players currently get ₹15 lakh as match fees for one Test, ₹6 lakh per ODI, and ₹3 lakh per T20I.
Also Read: Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan all set to be terminated from new BCCI’s contract – Reports
The BCCI will be hiking the salary in Test cricket by a considerable amount. The reports also claimed that players who will be playing all the Tests in the series will be given incentives on top of their central contract fees.
“For example, if someone plays all Test series in a calendar year, he should be rewarded additionally, apart from the annual retainer contract. This is to ensure that players turn out for more red-ball cricket. This would be an additional perk for playing Test cricket,” a source in the board told Indian Express
Hike in Test match fees to be in effect after the IPL 2024
The reports also claimed that BCCI will be hiking the match fees in Tests as well as the incentive scheme after the IPL 2024. The league will be played from March 22 to May 26th. After the league, India will be playing quite a few Test matches.
The Rohit Sharma-led side will host Sri Lanka and New Zealand at home after the T20 World Cup and then will be travelling to Australia for the five-Test series.