Salaries of Indian Cricketers: The BCCI's Central Contract System

Have you ever wondered how much the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) pays to its cricketers? This article will delve into the details of the BCCI's central contract system, which categorizes players into different grades based on their performance and contributions to the team. We will also discuss the various sources of income for Indian cricketers beyond the BCCI salary.

Understanding the BCCI's Central Contract System

The BCCI has a central contract system in place to pay salaries to Indian cricketers. Players are categorized into different grades (A, B, and C) based on their performance and contributions to the team. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the salaries:

Grade A: 7 crore (approx. $940,000) Grade A: 5 crore (approx. $670,000) Grade B: 3 crore (approx. $400,000) Grade C: 1 crore (approx. $135,000)

These retainers are provided in a yearly basis and are taxable. In addition to these retainers, players earn match fees, bonuses, and income from endorsements and other commercial activities. The exact figures can vary year to year based on contracts and performance.

Match Fees and Bonuses

Indian cricketers also receive match fees for participating in international matches. The match fees are as follows:

Test Matches: 15 lakhs (approx. $20,000) ODIs (One Day Internationals): 6 lakhs (approx. $8,000) T20 Internationals: 3 lakhs (approx. $4,000)

There are also performance-related bonuses:

Rs 500,000 for scoring a century in Test or ODI Rs 700,000 for scoring a double century in Test Rs 500,000 for taking 5 wickets in Test, ODI, or T20 Rs 700,000 for taking a 10-wicket haul in Test

In addition, if the team wins a Test against the top three Test-ranked sides or wins a Test series against the top three ranked sides, the match fee for every player in the squad is increased by 50%. If the team wins the ODI or T20 World Cups, the match fee for the players is increased by 100% for Test matches and 300% for ODI or T20 matches.

Other Sources of Income

Cricket players like Virat Kohli are kept in a higher grade by the cricket control board of India and receive a higher salary as a result. Indian cricketers are also allowed to sign modeling assignments, which provide additional income. They can earn large amounts of money playing the Indian Premier League (IPL), where everyone earns significantly more. They also benefit from different sources such as social media endorsements and various product ads and promotions.

Conclusion

The BCCI's central contract system plays a crucial role in determining the payment structure for Indian cricketers. While their salaries are a significant part of their income, they also benefit from match fees, bonuses, and endorsements. At the end of every cricketers’ career, they are definitely rich, and how they earn this money is largely irrelevant. What is important is that they perform well and draw the admiration and support of fans everywhere.