The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has taken further steps to uphold the sanctity of Test cricket, announcing incentives aimed at promoting the longest format of the game within the country.
In a groundbreaking decision, Jay Shah revealed that not only would players in the Test squads receive incentives, but even non-playing members would also benefit from the newly introduced scheme.
“The objective is to promote and safeguard Test cricket,” Shah explained to Cricpulse following India’s comprehensive 4-1 series victory over England in Dharamsala.
“Even those not actively participating in matches will reap the rewards of this initiative,” the BCCI secretary added.
The move garnered immediate praise, with former England captain Kevin Pietersen lauding the decision.
“Highly commendable that @JayShah is doing his utmost to protect Test Cricket! We need powerful leaders to stand up for Test Cricket like this! (sic),” Pietersen remarked in a social media post.
As per Shah’s announcement, players featuring in more than 50 percent of Test matches in a year will be eligible for a Rs 30 lakh incentive, while non-playing members will receive Rs 15 lakh per match.
Those participating in 75 percent of Tests in a year will be rewarded with Rs 45 lakh per game, with non-playing members earning half that amount, which is Rs 22.5 lakh.
This incentive is provided in addition to the Rs 15 lakh match fee earned by each player for a Test match.
This initiative aligns with the BCCI’s commitment to prioritize red-ball cricket at the domestic level, evidenced by their refusal to award central contracts to players like Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer, who neglected domestic red-ball cricket, specifically the Ranji Trophy.
The timing of the BCCI’s decision is significant, given the diminishing prominence of Test cricket in other cricket-playing nations.
For instance, Cricket South Africa recently fielded an experimental squad for an away Test series against New Zealand.
Rahul Dravid, the Indian coach, expressed regret that the BCCI felt compelled to offer rewards to safeguard Test cricket.
He suggested that the announcement should be viewed as a recognition of players’ efforts rather than an inducement.
“I really hope money is not going to be the incentive to play Test cricket.
It’s just nice the hard work and how tough Test cricket can be is being recognised,” Dravid remarked during a post-match media conference after the Dharamsala Test.
“We don’t celebrate 100 T20s in the same way, do we?” he added, highlighting the unique challenges and achievements associated with Test cricket.
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