Sunil Gavaskar calls for increase in Ranji Trophy match fees after India's Champions Trophy victory: 'If only other states...'

Sunil Gavaskar is calling on state associations to raise the match fees for players in domestic cricket, specifically those who participate in the Ranji Trophy. The cricket legend emphasized the need for a pay hike in order to support players who are dedicating their careers to the sport. Gavaskar highlighted this issue in a recent column, pointing out the growing trend of parents viewing cricket as a promising career choice for their children. He believes that increasing match fees is essential in recognizing the hard work and dedication of domestic cricketers.

"The Ranji Trophy fees per match could do with another increase for the next season since the difference between what an ordinary uncapped but lucky player gets for the IPL and what a truly hard-working Ranji Trophy player earns is huge," said Gavaskar in a column for Sportstar.

"If only other State teams could follow the example of the Mumbai Cricket Association and give a matching amount of fees to what the BCCI gives, then the players would get a really good amount commensurate with the number of days they play."

Gavaskar said that state associations should put the subsidy they receive annually from the Board of Control for Cricket in India to good use. "Every State Association gets a hefty subsidy annually from the BCCI, and most of it stays put in a bank instead of being invested in infrastructure building and the development of the game, which is why it is given. So, the States can afford to match the fees that BCCI gives for its Ranji Trophy teams. The good news is that there are more and more administrators coming through who love the game and are very aware of the need to promote and encourage their teams," said Gavaskar.

Healthy structures, more trophies

The former India captain further stated that a healthy state cricket structure leads to better health in the top levels of the domestic circuit. This would in turn lead to India winning more titles, like the Champions Trophy they won on Sunday. “Hopefully, this will translate into good players not leaving the game for alternate careers and staying on to make State cricket, and thereby Indian cricket, stronger by the day — so it continues to win more trophies like Rohit and his boys have done,” said Gavaskar.

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