23rd Nov 2023
Remunerations & Incomes
Just recently ICC World Cup 2023 had been concluded. India’s winning run of 10 matches was ended in final but was much appreciated, thrilled every Indian Cricket supporter and at the same time also drawn flak, allegations from others. Things, allegations made against Indian Team or BCCI were very crazy, unbelievable. One can easily make out that these were made just out of jealousy or to take out anger as their favorite team not performing as per their expectation. Though it’s not the subject of this post, Listing few of them below just to enjoy once again.
- India (or BCCI) has fixed the match toss. To do this, Indian captain was tossing the coin away from opposite team captain. Indirectly it means not only Indian Captain but also Match referee and may be opponent team captain were part of it. Worth to note (or to laugh), India lost the important toss in the final game.
- It’s also said that not only the toss but the entire world cup tournament is fixed and India only will be winning the world cup. So, can we say now that India has fixed the world cup tournament for loosing in the final and then why fixing or what for?
- DRS are bugged or deliberate malfunction to help India. Everybody sitting in the stadium or through TV / OTT; watching live and hence unable to understand how India was able to manage this. Must appreciate the boundaryless imagination.
- BCCI and in turn ICC procured the different balls to be given to Indian team which were more prone for swing (how? – don’t know). Its very difficult to digest – first why ICC will do and then secondly what was the state of art in these balls to have more swing?
- Pitch for India semifinal was changed on last moment to favour India. All responsible officials including ICC has clarified that this is a normal practice and many times it happens / happened in past. But one cannot shut the mouth of peoples; they have liberty, freedom to say anything they wished to.
Above was the diversion to the post subject.
Many wouldn’t know. Earlier cricketers earning was very less. It was so less that no parent was willing or supporting their kids to pursue the cricket (for that matter, any sport). As I remember, this situation started changing after India won 1983 world cup. Even the Indian team who participated in the 1983 cricket world cup and brought the glory to India, were earning very less. So much less that nobody could afford to go out for a dinner. It’s very hard to believe their earning amounts. Though I have not verified the below information but mentioning below only to have a rough, approximate idea of team members earnings
In comparison to above approximate, let us see how much new generation, today’s (in 2023) cricketer earns. Below earning is purely from BCCI for playing cricket matches and representing India in domestic / abroad matches.
BCCI has made below 3 categories as basis for making payment to cricketers.
• A+ category – All three formats player (Test, ODI & T20)
• A category – All three formats, at least 2 formats, Test cricket necessary
• B category – Two formats
• C category – Single format player
BCCI pays Annual Salary as below based on the above categories.
Grade A + | Grade A | Grade B | Grade C |
INR 7 Cr | INR 5 Cr | INR 3 Cr | INR 1 Cr |
Annual Salary is fixed based on their category. In addition to the Annual Salary, players are entitled for the match fee as follows. An Indian player has a fixed match fee of Rs 15 lakh for a Test match. For an ODI, a player earns Rs 6 lakh while he earns Rs 3 lakh for every T20I. Those who don’t make it to the playing XI draw 50% of the match fee.
Needless to mention, all expenses of travel, accommodation, incidentals while playing a match, series or tournament, are being taken care by BCCI or respective hosting board. Means match fee is straight to their pockets.
Wait, wait; this is not all. Further, BCCI pays bonus; yes, you heard right. As per laid down policy, apart from the Indian cricket players salary, every Indian cricketer would receive a reward for their individual performance for all three format matches. This reward money is not included in their match fee.
Is there any other income source for these professional Indian Cricketers? What is our guess? Yes, there are other income sources out of few are listed below:
For all the below sources fees will be in Crores.
- Playing cricket leagues such as IPL – in India or abroad.
- Sponsorships.
- Brand ambassador.
- Owning brands
- Last but not least – Advertising
It is very clear; even after excluding / not considering the incomes from Sponsorships, Brand Ambassador, Owning brands or Advertising; todays professional cricketers earn a very good money. Keeping these facts in mind, would like to raise few points / concerns for discussions.
1) Accepting these are true professionals then alike professionals in other corporate / multinational sectors; accept the responsibility for failures. Private sectors professional is punished or fined financially for their failures. These professionals do not have an option to suggest not to take any action as it’s a part of life and he may succeed tomorrow or in future. Its least expected that after BCCI taking care so nicely and with such a wonderful pay, they should stand up and own the failures also. Same as corporate, mistakes should not be acceptable.
2) A considerable variable pay (performance allowance) should be fixed and linked to the match results. Variable pay should be same for all players (senior or junior) including non-playing (sitting on bench for a particular match / not part of playing 11). This performance allowance or variable pay to be distributed only if match is won. If lost, no performance allowance. Performance allowance amount should be considerable and to be fixed in a such a way that entire team to should get motivated and to play for it.
3) Everybody is aware that no professional in corporate or multinational is allowed to take up another full or part time assignment while working in one company. In simple words; no second source of income. Similar way, all professional cricketers should not take up any Sponsorship, Brand Ambassador, Own brands or Advertising till gets retired from all formats of cricket. Means no income source other than BCCI and BCCI approved tours & tournaments.
4) Suggest Performance Bonus scheme to be made more lucrative. Number of performance parameters and also more importantly bonus amount to be enhanced to an such extent that players should desire it. It should not be a pretty thing to avoid “if get, okay but if don’t get is also okay”.
5) More and more players to be brought under retention means under Annual Fix Pay. There has to be well laid down criteria for selection under this. It should be a motivating factor for young, upcoming cricketers and should generate a fire in stomach to earn a place in this privileged list.
6) Retainer Fee (Annual Salary) should not be same every year. Minimum annual salary should be same as last year if player meets the minimum criteria of performance during last year. But if player has performed much better, was consistent best performer, his annual salary should be more than last year. Again, not necessary that same category players should earn same salary. May be entry level can be same but subsequently it can vary based on players performance.
Please note that above are my personal views and have put forward for brainstorming, discussion. But strongly feel it needs to be discussed today or tomorrow to keep the professional cricketers competitive and to keep sport exciting.
Another amazing thing is taking / giving rest. Our all-senior players keep taking rest / break from the international cricket. After world cup 2023, India is playing T20 five match series against Australia commencing from 23rd Nov 2023. Just now understand that only 2 Indian players from the world cup squad, are playing this series whereas 6 ~ 7 Australian players from their world cup squad will be playing this series. Do understand that T20 specialist should play T20 series but it’s amazing to observe that India have only 2 players who can play ODI as well T20 whereas Australia has 6 ~ 7 players who can play ODI as well as T20. Will not discuss today, but important concern to brainstorm.
