BCCI clarifies domestic pay scheme

The BCCI has clarified its pay structure for domestic cricket, and expressed surprise at the high figures stated by the media. The Times of India reported that Ratnakar Shetty, the BCCI's joint secretary, said that Rs 4000 would be paid on a per-day basis, and applied to all Ranji Trophy, Duleep Trophy, Irani Cup and domestic one-day games.

"There has been a change in the system of payments to players for their benevolent fund," Shetty said. "Last season we paid the players Rs 3000 per day on match days with a lump sum of Rs 4000 going towards the benevolent fund. This season the per-day sum on match days has gone up to Rs 4000. So if he earns Rs 16,000 for a four-day game, a similar amount will go to the fund. For a five-day game it could be Rs 20,000 for the match and another Rs 20,000 into the fund. Thus, the total sum would be Rs 40,000." Shetty also dismissed reports of the reported dramatic pay hike. "I don't know where this figure of Rs 56,000 came from."

Interestingly, Jagmohan Dalmiya had recently been quoted about specific player payments. "Those playing all the matches at the domestic level will get Rs 52,000 as per the revised formula and players playing upto the qualifying rounds will get Rs 35,000 per match."

Dalmiya said that domestic-level cricketers would get the enhanced payments when the graded system of payment comes into effect - most likely by the end of this month.

Besides the top tier of domestic cricketers, junior players and umpires will be at the receiving end of the BCCI's pay hike. Under-19 and U-22 level players will receive Rs 1000 per day - double their previous salary. Umpires will receive Rs 1500 per day and a sum of Rs 3000 for their benevolent fund per match, while umpires in junior matches will receive Rs 1000 per day, with Rs 750 for the fund.