"Rs 45 Lakh Per Match To Players": BCCI's Major Step To Promote Test Cricket, Allocates Rs 40 Crore

Following India's massive series victory over England, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah announced on Saturday the 'Test Cricket Incentive Scheme' for the senior men's team, which will provide players with additional incentives beyond the usual match fees for participating in the longest format of the game.

Steps taken to promote test cricket -

Shah said on X (previously Twitter) that the incentive will be an "additional reward structure" on top of the players' present match payments of Rs 15 lakhs. The move will bring "financial growth" and "stability" to players who actively participate in the sport's most recognized format.

I am pleased to announce the initiation of the 'Test Cricket Incentive Scheme' for Senior Men, a step aimed at providing financial growth and stability to our esteemed athletes. Commencing from the 2022-23 season, the 'Test Cricket Incentive Scheme' will serve as an additional reward structure on top of the existing match fee for Test matches, set at INR 15 lakhs.
~posted Shah

Later, following the 5th Test between India and England, Harsha Bhogle stated that the BCCI had allocated an additional Rs 40 crore to Test cricket.

Different conditions were provided for the incentive -

Players who participate in less than 50% of the matches or less than four will not be eligible for the program, provided that a season consists of at least nine Test matches. Players who have played five or six Tests (more than 50 percent) will receive an incentive of Rs 30 lakh each match if they are selected for the playing eleven, or Rs 15 lakh per match if they are not.

Players who play more than seven matches (more than 75 percent) would receive an incentive of Rs 45 lakh each match if they are selected for the eleven-man squad, or Rs 22 lakh per match if they are not.

Boards knows the value of Test Cricket-

This step demonstrates the board's commitment to preserving and valuing the game's oldest format. The board has recently advised players to play more red-ball cricket, whether at the international or domestic level, citing the fact that many players have begun to prioritize the Indian Premier League (IPL) above red-ball cricket.

There is a trend that has started to emerge and is a cause for concern. Some players have begun prioritizing the IPL over domestic cricket, a shift that was not anticipated. Domestic cricket has always been the foundation upon which Indian cricket stands, and it has never been undervalued in our vision for the sport.
~Earlier in February, Shah said, as quoted by ESPNCricinfo

The BCCI secretary went on to say that the board has always believed that anyone who wanted to play for India should first play domestic cricket.

It is essential to recognize that domestic cricket forms the backbone of Indian cricket and serves as the feeder line to Team India. Our vision for Indian cricket has been clear from the outset - every cricketer aspiring to play for India must prove themselves in domestic cricket. Performance in domestic tournaments remains a critical yardstick for selection, and non-participation in domestic cricket will carry severe implications.
~the Board secretary had added