Windfall likely for domestic cricketers

There is likely to be a windfall for the Indian domestic cricketers as the BCCI has decided to give them a ten-fold hike and pay upto Rs 52,000 for each match. Jagmohan Dalmiya, the president of the board, said in Delhi that the cricketers at the domestic level will get the enhanced payments when the graded system of payment comes into effect, most likely by the end of this month.

"We have been working on it for the last one-and-a-half years. Not much work is left, may be a week's concentration is required. We hope to get it signed by the end of this month," Dalmiya told Press Trust of India.

Dalmiya added, "Those playing all the matches at the domestic level will get Rs 52,000 as per the revised formula and players playing upto the qualifying rounds will get Rs 35,000 per match."

As of now, cricketers taking part in domestic tournaments get Rs 5,000 per match and the revised fees, under the graded payment system, represents a steep hike. This, however, will not be applicable to international cricketers, for whom a different scale will be used.

The international cricketers will be divided into three categories depending on their seniority and all the three categories will have different annual contractual payments.

The graded system will provide the senior cricketers more money based on the number of Tests and one-dayers they have played. "The gradation system is something which is on our priority list. We have had discussions with the senior players and it is just a matter of time before we can implement it."

Dalmiya spoke about how the BCCI had set aside 26% its earnings for player payments. Out of the 26%, 13% has been reserved for international cricketers, 10.4% for domestic players and 2.6% for those at the junior level. "We feel that the new system will go a long way in removing the disparities. The domestic players can earn a lot more now, it will help them a lot."

The Board has also decided to provide more financial incentives to under-15 players and will also offer them scholarship and equipment. "The under-15 players will also get more money apart from scholarships. We have decided to keep some funds for that purpose. It will serve as an incentive for parents."