BCCI Review Meeting: Gambhir-Led Team Management Blames Lucrative IPL Contracts For India's Poor Test Form | Report
Team India management has reportedly blamed IPL contracts for India's slump in Test cricket, citing a lack of commitment from players.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly taken some strict measures during a review meeting addressing the India National Cricket Team's recent underwhelming performances. The meeting was attended by the board officials, selectors, head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Rohit Sharma. A report by Dainik Jagran mentions that when the team management was questioned about the dip in form in Test cricket, one of the members attributed it to the substantial salaries players receive from the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Indian Cricket Team's (ICT) Test cricket performance took a significant downturn following Gambhir's appointment as head coach. Although they secured a series win against Bangladesh, they were then shockingly whitewashed by New Zealand at home. This was followed by a 1-3 defeat to Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT), and for the first time ever, they failed to qualify for the World Test Championship (WTC) final. In light of this slump, the team management faced scrutiny and has now provided an unusual explanation for the team's poor form.
Huge IPL Deals Reason Behind Players' Lacking Intensity: ICT Management
During the review meeting, as reported by Dainik Jagran, the Indian team management pointed to the IPL as a factor behind the team's struggles. A member of the Gambhir-led team management suggested that the lucrative IPL contracts were contributing to the team's lack of form. It was stated that players, owing to their big IPL deals, were not fully committed to the national team, especially in the longest format.
One staff member from Gambhir's team reportedly mentioned that many players lacked intensity and commitment during the Test matches, which was seen as a key reason behind India's defeat in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
“One of the members of the team management accused the Indian players of not taking Test cricket seriously because of their mega IPL contracts. It was given as one of the reasons behind India’s defeat in Australia,” a BCCI source told Dainik Jagran as per crictoday.
Here’s a list of the highest paid Indian players in the upcoming IPL 2025 season:
IPL Most Expensive Players: Highest Paid Player in IPL 2025
1. Rishabh Pant - Rs. 27.00 Cr - Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)
2. Shreyas Iyer - Rs. 26.75 Cr - Punjab Kings (PBKS)
3. Venkatesh Iyer - Rs. 23.75 Cr - Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
4. Virat Kohli - Rs. 21.00 Cr - Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
5. Ruturaj Gaikwad - Rs. 18.00 Cr - Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
6. Jasprit Bumrah - Rs. 18.00 Cr - Mumbai Indians (MI)
7. Sanju Samson - Rs. 18.00 Cr - Rajasthan Royals (RR)
Top Headlines
