Image Source: Possible11 Team
There is a lot of buzz these days surrounding the Ranji Trophy, India's most prestigious domestic cricket tournament. The return of international stars like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, Shubman Gill, and Yashasvi Jaiswal to domestic cricket has further boosted the tournament's popularity.
But do you know how much a Ranji Trophy player earns per match or per day? The BCCI has implemented significant changes to their match fees to ensure financial security for domestic cricketers. Let’s break down the figures.
BCCI salary structure: Fees are determined by experience
According to the new pay scale of BCCI, players are paid daily fees based on their experience of total Ranji matches played.
Ranji Trophy Players' Daily Fees (Match Fees Table)
| Player Category (Experience) | Playing XI (Per Day) | Reserve/Bench Player (Per Day) |
|---|---|---|
| 41 or more matches | ₹60,000 | ₹30,000 |
| 21 to 40 matches | ₹50,000 | ₹25,000 |
| 0 to 20 matches | ₹40,000 | ₹20,000 |
| Non-playing squad member | ₹25,000 | N/A |
Note: Since a Ranji match spans four days, a senior player who has played 41 or more matches receives up to ₹2.40 lakh per match. Under current rules, if a senior player's team reaches the final, he can earn up to approximately ₹25 lakh over the entire season, whereas other players earn between ₹17 lakh and ₹22 lakh.
Plans to Further Increase Domestic Players' Fees (Annual Earnings of Up to ₹1 Crore!)
The advent of the IPL created a significant disparity between IPL contract earnings and income from domestic cricket. To bridge this gap, a committee led by Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar is considering a further hike in match fees.
Under the proposal, if match fees are doubled, a domestic player competing in the full Ranji Trophy season could earn between ₹75 lakh and ₹1 crore annually. This would provide substantial support to players who do not secure an IPL contract.
Aakash Chopra recounts an old anecdote: "I received ₹1,700"
Former Indian opening batsman and commentator Aakash Chopra shared his memories on Raj Shamani's podcast:
I clearly remember that when I played my first Ranji match in 1997, I received a total of ₹1,700. Later, the fee gradually increased to ₹10,000 per day. With the advent of the IPL, the BCCI's revenue grew, and the fortunes of domestic cricketers changed; today, players earn a handsome income from domestic cricket alone.
