Team India cricketers likely to see a two-fold salary hike

The cricketers of team India could get richer yet again. Their recent demands of a salary hike is likely to be fulfilled by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). As per the recent reports, there is a likelihood that the salary of the top cricketers could be doubled in the coming season. The reports in the Times of India suggest that the Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators (CoA) is figuring out a way to do so.

They are reportedly working on a formula to add INR 200 crore to the existing budget of INR 180 crore to fulfill this demand for the next season. The new formula will be discussed with the men who matter, coach Ravi Shastri and captain Virat Kohli. Earlier, both Virat and Shastri had made a presentation to the CoA asking for a salary hike.

They had remarked that the board is making a lot of money with their recent grand deal with the Star India. Hence, the revenues for the players should also increase proportionately. The board is keen on doing so now. The present setting of the board sees 26 per cent of board’s revenue being split into three parts – 13% for international players, 10.6% for domestic cricketers and the rest for women and juniors.

Domestic cricketers set to benefit as well

Now, with the new rules, Virat Kohli is set to get INR 10 crore from next year as against his earnings of INR 5.5 crore that he got after playing 46 matches in 2017. Similarly, the salary of the Ranji cricketers could increase from INR 12-15 Lakh to INR 30 Lakh.

“Senior cricketers are certainly going to get a 100% raise and even domestic players would get the same percentage increase. a source close to CoA said. “Since, these cricketers are the reason for BCCI’s revenues, can’t the board afford another Rs 200 crore for their salaries?” a top board official remarked.

Reportedly, it was former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly who batted for the domestic cricketers. He had remarked that they also deserved a hike in the pay. “Because of the sheer bulk of the money, the senior Indian cricketers can’t be given half of the projected 26% revenue of BCCI. It would be distributed in such a way that domestic cricketers also get big hikes,” the official explained.