Jasprit Bumrah's Dream T20 Match Rejected: BCCI Needs to Fix Player Incentives
The BCCI may revise player contract valuations after removing the A+ category, potentially impacting consistent performers like Jasprit Bumrah. Bumrah, previously A+, was moved to Grade A, raising concerns about a pay cut. Other players like Axar Patel also face contract downgrades despite strong performances, prompting a review of the system.
New Delhi: The Indian cricket board (BCCI) last month removed the A+ category from its players’ retainership system, citing there weren’t enough candidates to qualify for the gradation. However, TOI understands that the board may be compelled to revisit the valuation structure of the existing gradation of contracts to ensure consistent-performing players don’t lose money that they were receiving till last year. Top of the list is India’s premier fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah, who has consistently received the Grade A+ contracts since its inception for the 2018-19 season.
It is learnt that the board hasn’t officially communicated the value of the contracts this season. As per the previous system, Grade A+ players got Rs 7 cr, while Grade A, B and C players received Rs 5 cr, Rs 3 cr and Rs 1 cr, respectively. BCCI, while announcing this year’s retainership, didn’t mention the amount for each category.
It is learnt the players too have not yet been told officially about the worth of their contracts. Grade A+ was reserved for players who commanded their place in all three formats and had a world ranking in the top 10 in any one format. Since Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli retired from two formats, along with Ravindra Jadeja calling it quits from T20Is, the board was left with just Bumrah.
The flashpoint with the current contract system stems from here because Bumrah, despite maintaining command over all three formats, was put in Grade A this year by default. At present, only Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill, Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja feature in Grade A. “The board is trying to figure out how Bumrah can be compensated.