Cricket: “Most of the money generated comes from India” Ravi Shastri demands more revenue for BCCI
Shastri highlights India’s contribution to revenue generation
If you are a cricket fan, you would likely agree that in recent years, India has become a cricketing powerhouse, thanks in part to the mega-money Indian Premier League as well as the massive following for the game in the country.
Recent official reports indicate that India is responsible for 38.5% of the International Cricket Council’s total revenue, and there is expectation that it will account for an even higher percentage by 2027, given the continued growth of the IPL.
As it stands, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) currently receive in the region of ₹1,968 crore annually, which is significantly higher than the revenue received by the likes of the England and Wales Cricket Board and Cricket Australia.
However, Indian cricket icon and former head coach of the Men in Blue, Ravi Shastri, argues that India should actually be allocated an even higher percentage due to their contribution to the overall revenue the cricket body generates. In an interview with the media, he said:
“I would want more because most of the money that’s generated comes from India. So it’s only fair that they get their share of pound of flesh. It’s relative, it’s economies, if tomorrow there might be another economy that’s stronger. When India travel, look at the television rights, look at the television income that comes for an India series. So it’s only fair that they get. Whatever they’re getting now, if not more,”
The current model of revenue distribution has sparked debate throughout the cricket community, with several boards, especially India, Australia and England, believed to have already raised their concerns about unequal allocations.
The ICC have acknowledged all the concerns brought forward and has indicated that they intend to address each, though given the cold, hard facts, it seems at this moment that the BCCI stand to benefit significantly if no changes are implemented.
Gambhir receives stern warning from Shastri
Aside from the financial talks, Shastri also took the time to send out a stern warning to India's head coach Gautam Gambhir this week, saying that he needs to go “really hard” on the likes of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Karun Nair and Ravindra Jadeja.
India’s batsman finally found form in England in their first Test against the Three Lions this week, and Jaiswal was at the heart of it, launching the team to an incredible start by scoring a stunning century in his first match on English soil.
However, aside from the willow, India’s star new opener had a forgettable performance in the field, having dropped a total of four catches in a match that saw the English chase down 371 in the second innings with relative ease. Shastri said:
“You can’t throw away an opportunity to score 550 or 600 by being timid. These are areas where you have to be hard as a coach, really hard in the dressing room. Some players need a reality check. But there were also many positives to take away.”
The second Test between India and England will take place at Edgbaston, with the toss set to go up on July 2.
