BCCI set to formalize central contracts for domestic cricketers

Jammu, August 12: The Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) is working towards validating a system to give central contracts to domestic players before the start of the upcoming season. This progress comes at a time when a lot of domestic players are getting anxious about the possibility of a truncated season which could lead to a loss of significant part of their earnings.
BCCI president Sourav Ganguly had confirmed in March that the board would be introducing central contracts for domestic cricketers from this season. He had also asserted that there will be a significant pay hike for domestic players. But the pandemic delayed the process. BCCI has also been revisiting its tax structure and trying to get tax benefits on several expenditures.

The big challenge for BCCI is to normalize the pay structure. BCCI isn't keen to leave it entirely to the states wisdom to sign players. "There needs to be a standard gradation system. It will be unfair if all states come up with varying criteria. It also needs to be discussed if the match fees will be exclusive of the contract," the source said.
The match fee of women domestic cricketers is also likely to be discussed.

Currently, BCCI pays a match fee of Rs 35,000 per day to domestic players. This is besides the gross revenue share (GRS). A player is likely to earn around Rs 2.5 lakhs per first-class match if they receive the GRS.

"BCCI had promised a significant raise in our earnings. But with the season set to be truncated this year, our earnings will be halved if there isn't a hike," a veteran domestic cricketer told.