Recent reports suggest that the BCCI is planning a complete overhaul of the Indian cricket team's salary and regulations. Here's all you need to know about their pay cuts and limited family visits.
The Indian cricket team's pay structure is set to undergo a major overhaul. Recent reports suggest that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will introduce a corporate-style appraisal system wherein salary will depend on each player's individual performance. Not only that, but the BCCI will also be placing limits on family visits during extended tours, thus curbing the amount of time wives and girlfriends spend travelling with their partners.
The idea of a variable salary structure for the Indian cricket team was floated at the most recent BCCI review meeting following India's devastating defeat at the Border Gavaskar Trophy. A report by The Indian Express says that the purpose of the new structure is to hold each player accountable for their poor performance by penalising them with a pay cut. Captain Rohit Sharma, head coach, Gautam Gambhir, and chief selector, Ajit Agarkar reportedly attended the meeting.
The BCCI's decision is supposedly prompted by India's devastating loss at the World Test Championship final. For the unversed, India lost with a 3-1 series defeat in Australia and, earlier, suffered a 3-0 whitewash against New Zealand in their home country, knocking them out of the Championship final. A source told The Indian Express:
"It was suggested that players should be held accountable, and if their performances are not up to the mark, they should face variable pay reductions."
The BCCI is also considering imposing stricter regulations on the Indian cricket team while they are away on extended tours. According to a Sports Now report, family visits will be limited. Wives and girlfriends will be permitted to travel with the players for just two weeks during the one-and-a-half-month-long tours.
It will also be mandatory for players to travel together on team buses, with extra luggage being allowed but at their own expense. Allegedly, these stringent rules are not just the result of the Indian cricket team's poor performance but the team's unpleasant internal atmosphere. For the unversed, the Indian cricket team's performance was seemingly hampered by their many controversies.
These controversies included Ravichandran Ashwin's retirement announcement, Rohit Sharma's decision to back out of the final match, and a player self-assigning as the interim captain. Another point of content was that Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah were allowed to travel with their families. However, other players followed the team travel protocols that were set in place. Allegedly, the team did not even celebrate their historic victory at Perth together.
As per the key takeaways from the BCCI review meeting ahead of Champions Trophy 2025, family visits for the Indian cricket team will be limited to seven days for shorter tours. Wives will no longer be allowed to accompany players for the entire leg of the tour. Further, Gautam Gambhir's manager would be prohibited from sitting in the VIP box. The manager will also not be permitted to travel with the team and will have to find accommodation at a separate hotel.
What do you think about the proposed changes that the BCCI may implement for the Indian cricket team?
Also Read: Aadar Jain Wipes His Tears As He Saw His Bride, Alekha Walking The Aisle In A Fishtail White Gown