Former Indian captain and current president of Cricket Association of Bengal Sourav Ganguly has been asked to prepare a white paper on Test cricket by the BCCI, which will have the increase in remuneration for the senior members as one of the key recommendations.
A source told Sportstar that a number of players and managers used BCCI officials as a sounding boards before approaching the president to discuss the need to review the emoluments of the national players.
The issue has been taken up as there is a salary dispute between certain Test cricketers, who do not play in the IPL, and the other players and the uncapped ones, who are heftily paid in the tournament alone. It is said that the issue was also brought to the notice of previous President Shashank Manohar.
One of the examples is Pawan Negi who was pushed for Rs 8.5 crore by the Delhi Daredevils at the auction. He has played just one T20 match for India in the Asia Cup and has not represented the side in Tests or ODIs.
On the other hand, Cheteshwar Pujara, who has not featured in the IPL, was pointed out as an example by the Working Committee. The Saurashtra right-hander, who is considered a Test specialist, receives Rs 7 lakh after every Test match while also being paid Rs 50 lakh annually as a Group ‘B’ contracted player, in contrast to a few players in Group ‘A’ who receives Rs 1 crore. Group ‘C’ players meanwhile are given Rs 25 lakh each. The fee for an ODI is Rs 4 each while it is even less for T20 international.
The newly appointed president, Anurag Thakur raised the issue at the Working Committee meeting after discussion with the BCCI’s technical committee and CAB president Ganguly, who was asked to look into the matter. One of the West Zone members had also informed that Ganguly described it as “meeting of the minds” to take cricket to take cricket to the next level.
Ganguly, speaking to the media after the meeting, said that Test cricket is the ultimate standard for any cricketer. One of the BCCI officials also added, “The England players receive big money to play for their country and so is the case with most countries. What motivation will Pujara have in the circumstances? Those who play for the country should get many times more than what they get now.”
It is expected that Ganguly will present the report before India’ four-Test tour of West Indies in July. There is a possibility of Ganguly presenting the report before the Indian team heads to the West Indies to play four Tests in July.