After India’s impressive series triumph against England, Jay Shah, the secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), unveiled the ‘Test Cricket Incentive Scheme’ for the senior men’s team. This scheme offers players additional rewards beyond their regular match fees for participating in Test cricket, aiming to provide financial stability and growth for those dedicated to the longest format of the sport.
Announcing the initiative on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Shah highlighted that this incentive would complement the existing match fees of Rs 15 lakhs for players, enhancing their financial prospects. The scheme, effective from the 2022-23 season, signifies the board’s commitment to recognizing and valuing Test cricket, allocating an additional Rs 40 crore specifically for this format, as noted by commentator Harsha Bhogle following the fifth Test between India and England.
Under the scheme’s guidelines, players must participate in a minimum of four out of nine Test matches in a season to qualify. Those playing in five to six Tests (over 50% participation) will receive Rs 30 lakhs per match if included in the playing eleven, or Rs 15 lakhs if not. Players featuring in more than seven matches (over 75% participation) will be eligible for Rs 45 lakhs per match in the playing eleven, or Rs 22 lakhs if not.
This strategic move underscores the BCCI’s dedication to nurturing Test cricket amid growing trends favoring tournaments like the Indian Premier League (IPL). Shah emphasized the importance of domestic cricket as the foundation of Indian cricket, urging players to prioritize it over lucrative T20 leagues. He reiterated that participation and performance in domestic tournaments remain vital for aspiring Indian cricketers, emphasizing that non-participation could affect their selection prospects for the national team.
