DHARAMSHALA, India – The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced a new incentive scheme on Saturday aimed at boosting player participation in Test cricket. The scheme offers financial rewards to players selected for the Indian Test squad.
Under the new plan, players featuring in more than half of India’s Tests in a year will receive a bonus of ₹30 lakh (US$38,000) per match if they are part of the playing eleven. Non-playing squad members will receive ₹15 lakh (US$19,000) per match. For those playing in 75% or more Tests, the reward increases to ₹45 lakh (US$57,000) per match for the playing XI and ₹22.5 lakh (US$28,500) for non-playing members.
This is the first time the BCCI has included non-playing members in a financial reward program for Test cricket. The move comes amidst concerns about the declining popularity of Test cricket globally.
“The move is to encourage and protect Test cricket,” BCCI secretary Jay Shah told Cricbuzz after India’s 4-1 Test series win over England.
The announcement received praise from former England captain Kevin Pietersen, who called it “highly commendable” on social media.
However, India coach Rahul Dravid expressed a different perspective. While acknowledging the importance of recognizing the challenges of Test cricket, Dravid emphasized that playing for India in the longest format should be an honor, not solely driven by financial incentives.
“It is nice that the BCCI is recognizing it… I think it is a reward, not an incentive,” Dravid said after the Dharamshala Test.
The BCCI’s initiative follows their earlier decision to deny central contracts to players who prioritize shorter formats over domestic red-ball cricket. It remains to be seen if the new incentive scheme will successfully reignite widespread interest in Test cricket within the Indian team.