In a move to bolster India’s commitment to Test cricket’s future, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has unveiled a incentive scheme rewarding players for excelling in the traditional multi-day format. However, Indian coach Rahul Dravid hopes monetary incentives don’t overshadow the intrinsic motivations that make Test cricket special.
The incentive plan grants players who participate in over 75% of India’s Test matches in a season an additional ₹45 lakh ($55,000 USD) per match on top of their regular ₹15 lakh ($18,000) match fee. It comes on the heels of India’s dominant 4-1 Test series win over England and aims to keep top talents invested in the five-day game amidst T20 cricket’s rising popularity.
“It’s a welcome step to recognize the skill and toughness required for Test cricket through incentives,” said Dravid. “But I hope the essence and challenge of playing Test cricket remains the primary driving force and lure for players, not just monetary gains.”
The former batting legend’s stance underlines a concern that pure financial motivations could diminish what makes the longest format of the game exceptional. From extraordinarily high skill ceilings to intense physical and mental demands over five grueling days, Test cricket presents a unique test that money alone cannot replicate.
“Incentives are certainly positive if they enhance a player’s motivation in a balanced way,” Dravid explained. “But the soul and tradition of Test cricket, the real reward, should be the real draw to take the field.”
Dravid’s perspective resonates as T20 leagues like the IPL offer young players lucrative contracts and lavish lifestyles. Yet, a cohort of emerging Indian stars like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Sarfaraz Khan, and Dhruv Jurel showcased their commitment to Tests versus England.
As the cricket landscape rapidly evolves, the BCCI’s incentive scheme coupled with Dravid’s nuanced outlook underscores Indian cricket’s goal: nurturing a sustainable future for Tests while preserving its very essence that separates the format.
Incentivizing excellence in an unforgiving format makes business sense. But as Dravid knows from over 15 years of iconic Test performances, it’s the intrinsic desire to overcome the game’s sternest challenges that truly elevates cricket’s purest form.
