Members of the Indian cricket team are yet to receive their match fees and the Rs 1-crore incentive promised to each of them for the extremely successful six-month home season in 2016-17.
According to a report in The Indian Express, the tug of war between the Committee of Administrators and the BCCI’s office bearers coupled with the board’s face-off with the ICC over revenue sharing has led to this situation.
In the 2016-17 season, before the start of IPL in April first week, India played 13 Tests and recorded series wins over New Zealand, England, Bangladesh and Australia.
Each member of the playing XI gets Rs 15 lakh for a Test match, while those on the bench get Rs 7 lakh each. In the past, players used to get their payment cheques within two months of the completion of a Test.
According to the report, the women’s national team is also waiting for its fees payment. Each member of the team gets Rs 1 lakh per series.
“Usually, we get our dues within a month or 15 days of a Test match but this time, the delay has been long. We don’t know what the reason is but such delays have never happened earlier,” a regular player of the Indian Test team was quoted by The Indian Express as saying.
The report cited sources saying that the delay is a result of the tussle between the CoA, which is in-charge of the BCCI’s functioning, and the board’s office-bearers who remain signatories for cheque payments.
They also said that the BCCI’s face-off with the ICC over distribution of revenue is also a major reason behind the delay.
“The payment is delayed because of various issues. The BCCI didn’t have the official signatory in February and later there was confusion over whether Amitabh Choudhary (acting secretary) can clear these payments because only the secretary can give all approvals. As for the women’s payments, their agreement with BCCI is yet to be signed and once it is officially done, their payment will be released,” said a top BCCI official.
