Sunil Gavaskar is a firm believer that applause doesn't pay the bills. In his latest assessment of the Indian cricketing landscape, in a report published by Sportstar, the legendary opener has pointedly addressed the financial disparity between the high-octane IPL and the grueling National Championships.
While the Mumbai Cricket Association has earned high praise for its progressive new player contracts, Gavaskar notes a disappointing reality: players who toil through 40 days of red-ball cricket often fail to earn even the base price of an IPL player who might never leave the dugout. As corporate sports quota jobs dry up, the call for state associations to look after their own has never been more urgent.
What is the point of showing crores in the bank when players could perform with far greater freedom if they were better looked after?
Sunil Gavaskar
The announcement that the Mumbai Cricket Association will now contract its players, mirroring the BCCI’s central contract system, is a move Gavaskar describes as excellent news. By providing a guaranteed paycheck, the administration is effectively removing the where is the next cheque anxiety that plagues many domestic stalwarts.
Immediate gratification: The MCA, alongside the Tamil Nadu (TNCA) and Karnataka (KSCA) associations, now pays players immediately after a match concludes.
Wait for BCCI: Because the BCCI must process payments for multiple teams based on complex slabs, there is often an administrative delay. Immediate state payments serve as a vital boon for players in the interim.
Gavaskar does not shy away from the harsh economics of the sport. While market forces dictate the massive valuations of IPL players, he finds it disappointing that the backbone of Indian cricket, the National Championships, remains undervalued.
A player reaching the Ranji Trophy final, the pinnacle of domestic achievement, still earns less than the ₹30 lakh base price of an IPL recruit. Gavaskar highlights that this discrepancy is compounded by the fact that domestic players compete in often brutal weather conditions and in front of sparse crowds, receiving none of the glamour associated with the T20 circuit.
The column also touches on the human side of the game. Gavaskar complimented the BCCI for its magnanimous decision to provide pensions to the widows of retired international players. He has now challenged the MCA and other state bodies to extend this gratitude to the families of retired Ranji, Vijay Hazare, and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy players.
Corporate decline: Traditional corporate jobs that once sustained domestic players through inter-company tournaments are "drying up" in 2026.
State subsidies: Many state associations receive "handsome" annual subsidies from the BCCI; Gavaskar argues this wealth should be used to match the MCA's payment model.
Bradman standard: Gavaskar concludes by invoking Sir Don Bradman’s philosophy: “Each player should endeavour to leave the game better than he found it.”
Progressive trio: Only Mumbai, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka were identified as currently paying players for every game independently of BCCI payments.
For the Little Master, the sport’s development must be comprehensive. Although the IPL has generated unparalleled riches at the highest level, the National Championships remain the bedrock on which that prosperity rests. By implementing the MCA’s contract framework and guaranteeing prompt financial incentives, state associations can ensure that emerging cricketers are driven by more than merely the prospect of an IPL auction opportunity.
