'No player will be paid as of now' - BCCI official on players' salaries amid the postponement of IPL 2020

The world has come to a standstill due to the outbreak of coronavirus pandemic across the world. More than 7 lakh individuals have tested positive and more than 30,000 deaths have occurred around the globe. The effects of the pandemic are evident in every country as the world has been compelled in a lockdown state due to the coronavirus debacle.

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also announced a 21-day lockdown in the country to tackle the pandemic. Along with the human existence, the pandemic has also taken a toll on all major sporting events in the world. The much-awaited season on Indian Premier League was also postponed to April 15 in the wake of coronavirus outbreak. However, considering the current situation in the country, the tournament might be called off or postponed further to July or September.

Many fans are waiting for BCCI to announce an alternative window later this year when the tournament could be played by compromising a few bilateral series. Furthermore, the postponement of the league has also taken a toll on the players’ fate, who were slated to be a part of the cash-rich league.

BCCI searching for an alternate window to schedule IPL 2020

“The system of IPL payments is that 15% is paid a week before the tournament starts. 65% more is paid during the tournament. The remaining 20% is paid within a stipulated time after the tournament ends,” revealed a senior BCCI official as quoted by The Hindu. “The BCCI has specific guidelines. Obviously, no player will be paid as of now,” he added.

With the postponement of such a grand tournament, the economic aftermath would be huge, according to BCCI Players’ body — the Indian Cricketers’ Association — president Ashok Malhotra.

Ashok Malhotra feels that even the domestic players will have to suffer due to the ongoing scenario. The domestic players may have to accept pay cuts if the losses eventually amount to thousands of crores, according to Malhotra.

However, at the moment, the primary concern for BCCI remains to schedule the much-anticipated tournament in an alternate window in the near future. Another franchise official clarified that the salaries of the players are not insured for a pandemic such as covid-19.

“We will not get any money from the insurance company as a pandemic is not covered in the clause. Each franchise has salary overheads ranging between ₹75 to 85 crore. How can we pay if there’s no action,” revealed the official.

“From English Premier League, La Liga to Bundesliga, players are taking pay cuts. Also, there is no certainty anywhere as to when things will get normal,” he added.