India’s Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli wait for play to start on day three of the third Test between India and Australia at the Gabba in Brisbane, Australia. (AP Photo)
ONE OF the suggestions mooted at a meeting to review the recent debacle of India’s Test team in Australia was the introduction of a performance-based variable pay structure for the players, The Indian Express has learnt.
Present at the meeting to review the 1-3 series defeat were captain Rohit Sharma, head coach Gautam Gambhir and chairman of senior selection committee Ajit Agarkar.
The Indian Express understands that the thinking behind the move is to ensure that players are more “accountable” and, if warranted, face a pay-cut based on their performance. The system is said to be formulated on the lines of how corporate houses appraise their employees annually.
According to the suggested system, if the performance is not up to the mark, it would impact a player’s earnings. “It was one of the suggestions given that players should be held accountable and if their performance is deemed not fit as per expectations, they should face variable pay-cuts,” a source said.
Indian players celebrate the dismissal of Australia’s Steve Smith, left, during play on the third day of the fifth cricket test between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground, in Sydney, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
It was only last year when the BCCI introduced an incentive system for its Test players. According to it, players who have featured in the playing XI of more than 50 per cent of Tests in a season since 2022-23 would receive a financial incentive of Rs 30 lakh per game. The payout increases to Rs 45 lakh per game for every player who features in at least 75 per cent of matches in a season. It was part of the Rs 40-crore corpus announced by the board for the longest format of the game and was introduced to attract players to red-ball cricket at a time when the T20 format and the Indian Premier League have become very attractive propositions.
The other issues discussed in Saturday’s review meeting was some players giving less importance to Test cricket and “lacking intent” for it, preferring white-ball formats. The team management feels that the board needs to address this issue to ensure the next generation appreciates Test cricket and the value of an India Test cap.
The Indian team has had a bad few months in Test cricket. Before the reversal in Australia, they were whitewashed 0-3 by New Zealand at home to end a 18-series winning streak over 12 years.
“There was discussion whether the current players were a bit indifferent when India loses a Test match. The team management understands the value of Test cricket but many players don’t give too much importance to it,” the source said.
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