Domestic players yet to receive full match-fees for 2016-17 season

The stalemate over the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI's) implementation of the Supreme Court-directed administrative reforms, or the lack it, has resulted in a majority of domestic cricketers being deprived of their fixed match-fees for the previous season.

While some of the bigger State associations who have cash reserves have been able to clear the match-fees of the players, almost half of the 30 members have been unable to do so due to shortage of funds.

The countdown for the 2017-18 domestic season may have begun. However, most players are still waiting for their fixed share of match-fees for the 2016-17 season.

The stalemate over the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI's) implementation of the Supreme Court-directed administrative reforms, or the lack it, has resulted in a majority of domestic cricketers being deprived of their fixed match-fees for the previous season.

• The BCCI distributes domestic players' match-fees in two parts:
• - Players receive Rs. 10,000 per match-day from their respective state associations during or immediately after the season
• - The remaining share of match-fees is paid directly to the players by the Board after the accounts are ratified by the AGM.

When it comes to the fixed share, almost half of the BCCI's affiliates have not been able to clear the dues due to lack of funds. While some of the bigger State associations who have cash reserves have been able to clear the match-fees, almost half of the 30 members have been unable to do so due to shortage of funds.

Multiple office-bearers of various State associations confided to Sportstar that player payments haven't been cleared so far due to lack of funds from the BCCI. With a majority of BCCI affiliates being at loggerheads with the apex court-appointed Committee of Administrators (CoA) over the implementation of the administrative reforms, the CoA has taken a stringent stance. It has declined to request the Supreme Court to disburse funds to State associations unless they agree to adopt the new rulebook.

“If we do not get the funds we are entitled to from the Board, how can we run the show. We have somehow managed for the last year but now cricket has actually started suffering,” said an official from a West Zone unit, requesting anonymity.

Another official from a southern association said he has asked players to write to the Board directly. “Since the State bodies have not received money from the BCCI, they have told the board to pay the players directly,” he said.

It is understood that the plight is not just limited to players. Even the coaching and support staff of most teams have not been paid for their services for the 2016-17 season. A coach of a Ranji team said he understands the situation but if the payments are not settled soon, especially for support staff, it will be difficult for these professionals to sustain themselves financially.