Border Gavaskar Trophy review meeting: Indian cricket players will be paid according to their performance?

India's cricket team recently faced a tough 1-3 defeat in the five-match Test series against Australia, marking the end of their 10-year reign as holders of the prestigious Border-Gavaskar Trophy. This loss came on the back of another disappointing series, where they were swept 0-3 by New Zealand at home, making it India’s second consecutive Test series defeat. The losses have raised concerns about the team's performance and the road ahead, especially with the World Test Championship (WTC) final out of reach. In light of these setbacks, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) convened a crucial meeting on Saturday, December 11, at their headquarters in Mumbai. The gathering was attended by key figures including Indian captain Rohit Sharma, head coach Gautam Gambhir, and Ajit Agarkar, the chairman of the Senior Selection Committee.

Big calls to taken in the aftermath of the Border Gavaskar Trophy defeat?

The purpose of the Border Gavaskar Trophy review meeting was to assess the team's overall performance against Australia and determine the areas that need improvement. With the team under intense scrutiny, the BCCI has been proactive in addressing concerns regarding player form, team dynamics, and potential changes in the squad. The leadership trio of Sharma, Gambhir, and Agarkar discussed strategies to improve India’s performance in future series and ensure that the team remains competitive on the international stage. The meeting was a significant step in analyzing India's future trajectory in the longest format of the game.

According to a report by The Indian Express, a key suggestion discussed during the recent BCCI review meeting was the introduction of a performance-based variable pay structure for Indian cricketers. The main objective behind this proposed system is to make players more accountable for their performances. It is designed to align player rewards with their contributions on the field, ensuring that players are not just complacent but consistently striving to meet expectations.

The structure, inspired by how corporate companies issue appraisals based on annual performance, would allow players to earn variable pay depending on their individual and team performances. Under this system, if a player's performance falls below expectations, their earnings could face a reduction. For instance, poor form or failure to meet key performance indicators, such as runs, wickets, or match-winning contributions, may lead to financial consequences. While the system is still being formulated, the intention is to motivate players to stay at the top of their game. The approach, if implemented, will emphasize accountability, encouraging players to improve continuously and take responsibility for the team's success. By linking earnings to performances, the BCCI hopes to maintain a culture of excellence within the Indian cricket team.

“It was one of the suggestions given that players should be held accountable and if their performance is deemed not fit as per expectations, they should face variable pay-cuts,” a source said.

Another important issue discussed during the meeting was the growing concern over some players not giving sufficient attention to red-ball cricket. According to the discussions, certain players were seen as lacking the necessary "intent" when it came to Test cricket, preferring the more lucrative and shorter formats of the game—T20Is and ODIs. This shift in focus has raised alarms within the Board, as the importance of Test cricket as the purest format of the game remains integral to India's cricketing legacy. Players showing less commitment or intensity in red-ball cricket could be seen as detrimental to the overall strength of the team, especially with the upcoming challenges in the longest format.

The BCCI, through this meeting, aims to address the growing divide between formats and remind players about the significance of Test cricket in building a strong, well-rounded international side. The concern is that excessive focus on limited-overs formats could erode the depth and skill needed to excel in Tests. As a result, the board is likely to encourage a more balanced approach, urging players to show equal dedication to all formats of the game, with an emphasis on improving their performances in red-ball cricket.

“There was discussion whether the current players were a bit indifferent when India loses a Test match. The team management understands the value of Test cricket but many players don’t give too much importance to it,” the source stated. 

Team India will have a break from Test cricket until June, when they are scheduled to tour the United Kingdom for a series against England. The Indian team was recently knocked out of contention for the World Test Championship final after suffering a defeat to the defending champions, Australia. India’s recent Test performances have been underwhelming, with a series of disappointing results, including a 1-3 loss to Australia, which ended their 10-year reign over the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Prior to that, they were whitewashed by New Zealand at home. These back-to-back defeats significantly dented their chances of qualifying for the WTC final. With the next Test series against England looming in June, India will aim to regroup and focus on returning to winning ways in the longest format of the game. The break provides the team with a chance to reflect and recalibrate ahead of a crucial series against the English side.