In a move that could potentially pave the way for others to follow suit, the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has agreed to boost its senior men’s team with a 100% pay hike from the 2024-25 season.
The MCA’s apex council meeting recommended the state association to match BCCI income of players from the domestic circuit. This effectively doubles a player’s earnings through the season.
The BCCI currently pays players at the senior men’s level in three slabs. Players with more than 40 first-class caps will earn INR 60,000 per day, while those who have played 21-40 games will take home INR 50,000 per day and those who have appeared in less than 20 games will earn INR 40,000 per day.
Lalwani has played just 14 first-class matches, meaning his basic earnings from the Ranji Trophy are Rs 40,000 per day. The total earnings of those who have appeared in more than 40 first-class games can be considerably higher.
Months ago, MCA announced a prize of INR 5 crore for its players. This is more than the prize money given by BCCI to Mumbai for winning the Ranji Trophy. The move to set earnings will especially benefit those who do not have an IPL contract.
“We felt that a player should earn more, especially those who play Ranji Trophy cricket,” MCA president Amol Kale said. “Red-ball cricket is more important to us because the Ranji Trophy holds a special place for everyone in Mumbai.”
Gavaskar had said, “If the Ranji Trophy fee is doubled or tripled, surely more people will play Ranji Trophy, (and) a lot less pullouts.” “They all want to play with a slab system – (if) you get more than ten first-class matches each – so I would request the BCCI to look into that aspect.”
This is not the first time that MCA has taken such a step. In 2022-23, the MCA proposed annual contracts and also set up a three-member committee to propose the structure. The apex council did not accept the move proposed by former president Vijay Patil. The MCA held elections soon after and replaced Patil with current president Kale.