BCCI Considers Performance-Based Pay for Players After Australia Test Series Loss

According to reports from The Indian Express, said that there is a thought about making cricket players more careful about the way they perform in test matches. The players may potentially face pay cuts if they don't perform well, this idea is inspired by how companies review how their workers are doing each year and decide on their pay.

At the GMC they discussed India's performance in the Australia test series, losing three of the four test matches and winning only one match, they came up with one idea, to start paying players based on how they perform. The Indian Express mentioned that the major names, like Captain Rohit Sharma, Head Coach Gautam Gambhir, and Ajit Agarkar were all there at the meeting.

🚨 PAY CUT INTRODUCTION...!!! 🚨

- A suggestion has been mooted at the review meeting to introduce performance based variable pay structure for players.

- It is to ensure players are more accountable and if warranted, face a paycut based on performance. (Express Sports). pic.twitter.com/e4vZy9E2Do

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) January 14, 2025

The proposed system links a player’s earnings directly to their performance. If their performance does not meet expectations, their pay might be reduced. “It was suggested that players should be held accountable. If their performance isn’t up to the mark, a pay cut should reflect that,” a source said.

According to reporter Abhishek Tripathi, cricketers' wives will not be allowed to stay for the entire duration of a tour. During a 45-day tour, a cricketer's family can stay with them for a maximum of two weeks only. Additionally, all players are required to travel together on the team bus only, as separate travel arrangements are not permitted to travel.

🚨 NEW GUIDELINES FROM BCCI. 🚨

- Cricketers' wives will not be able to stay for the entire tour.
- A cricketer's family can stay for a maximum of 2 weeks during a 45 day tour.
- Every player needs to travel by team bus, separate travelling not allowed. (Abhishek Tripathi). pic.twitter.com/ysCyHRguCO

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) January 14, 2025

This financial incentive program was part of a ₹40-crore fund introduced by the BCCI to promote Test cricket amidst the growing popularity of T20 leagues like the IPL.

The team management thinks some players have more interest in playing shorter cricket games than long Test matches, as per The Indian Express. In the review meeting, it was clear they were worried because some players didn't like to play in tests. They stressed how important it is for the board to make younger players feel proud to play for India in test cricket and to fix this problem.

As recent Test performances have been below par. Before their series defeat in Australia, the team suffered a 0-3 whitewash against New Zealand at home, which ended India's remarkable 12-year unbeaten streak of 18 home series wins.

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