Sunil Gavaskar calls for increase in Ranji Trophy match fees after introduction of "Test Cricket Incentive Scheme"

Sunil Gavaskar lauded BCCI’s effort to give incentives to Indian test cricketers.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) decided to give Indian cricketers incentives for prioritizing test cricket. The BCCI secretary Jay Shah made a big announcement after the end of fifth test against England at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala earlier this month. Recently former Indian cricketers raised concerns over deteriorating health of prestigious domestic First Class (FC) cricket tournaments.

Board’s step was lauded by several individuals including former Indian opener and captain Sunil Gavaskar. He also requested the BCCI to increase the salary of Ranji Trophy cricketers to make the prestigious Indian domestic tournament more lucrative among youngsters. He believes that this step will work as a feeder to Indian test cricket in longer run.

Sunil Gavaskar on Ranji Trophy

Former Indian skipper Sunil Gavaskar said on the sidelines of an event organised by CHAMPS foundation. Gavaskar said, “That is a wonderful thing by the BCCI to reward those who would be playing, but I would also request the BCCI to ensure that the feeder to the Test team, which is the Ranji Trophy, is also looked after.”

Legendary Indian opener added that the increase in fee will make players more interested towards red-ball cricket. Gavaskar added, “If the Ranji Trophy fees can be doubled or tripled, certainly there’ll be a lot more people playing the Ranji Trophy, and a lot less pullouts from the Ranji Trophy, because if the fees of playing a Ranji Trophy match are a good fee, there will be fewer people pulling out for various reasons.”

Gavaskar also suggested to have longer gaps between games in the Ranji Trophy. Gavaskar said, “In the three-day gap, what happens is that there’s probably a day in between for travel. During travel, there’s no time to visit the physio and maybe take his help to get fit from a niggle.” Mumbai won the Ranji Trophy 2023-24 title defeating Vidarbha in the final played at Wankhede Stadium.

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