Report: BGT review meeting discusses performance-based variable pay for players

After ten years, the Indian team lost the coveted Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) to Australia in a five-match Test series, suffering a 1-3 loss. This was the second straight Test series loss for India. Prior to touring Australia, they suffered a 0–3 home loss against New Zealand.

The team’s performance against Pat Cummins and Co. was reviewed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) at a meeting held at its Mumbai headquarters on Saturday, December 11. The discussion was attended by Ajit Agarkar, the chairman of the senior selection committee, head coach Gautam Gambhir, and Indian captain Rohit Sharma.

BGT One recommendation at the meeting was to implement a performance-based variable compensation structure for the players,

according to a story from The Indian Express. Making participants more “accountable” and potentially subject to a pay reduction based on their performance is the goal of this arrangement. According to reports, the method was designed to resemble the yearly employee reviews that corporate organisations provide.

A player’s pay will be negatively impacted if their performance is below expectations, according to the proposed method. One insider stated, “It was one of the recommendations made that players should be held responsible and that they should be subject to variable pay reductions if their performance is judged to be below expectations.”

The discussion also covered the topic of certain players “lacking intent” for red-ball cricket and not placing enough emphasis on it. The two formats with fewer overs piqued the curiosity of these players.

If the present players were a little unconcerned when India lost a Test match, it was discussed. The insider claimed that while the team’s management recognises the importance of Test cricket, many players don’t place much emphasis on it.

June will see the launch of India’s new WTC campaign.

A Test series will not be played by Team India until June, when they are expected to visit the United Kingdom to play England. Defending champions Australia defeated them, eliminating them from contention for the World Test Championship final.