Test cricketers to get richer as BCCI announces historic incentive scheme

Dharamsala: In an attempt to attract the cricketers towards Test cricket, the BCCI secretary Jay Shah announced a ‘Test Cricket Incentive Scheme’ for the senior men following India’s thumping win in the fifth and final Test against England on Saturday. India won the game by an innings and 64 runs and also pocketed the series 4-1. The win will remain special for India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, as he was playing his 100th Test match and finished with a match haul of 9/128.

“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,” Shah posted on X, minutes after India’s win.

Shah’a announcement came in at a time when several cricketers are running after cash-rich Indian Premier League, thereby ignoring the domestic matches which in turn makes a way into the Indian Test team — Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan are the biggest examples of late.