Sunil Gavaskar urges BCCI to increase Ranji Trophy fees

• Sunil Gavaskar calls for significant increase in Ranji Trophy fees for domestic cricketers
• Proposal stems from BCCI's recent move to offer incentives to Test cricketers
• Gavaskar highlights potential benefits, including higher participation rates and reduced player withdrawals

Sunil Gavaskar, renowned former captain of the Indian cricket team, has urged the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to consider a notable increase in fees for domestic cricketers, particularly those engaged in first-class cricket, such as the Ranji Trophy. Gavaskar's proposal comes as he applauds the BCCI's recent initiative to provide incentives to Test cricketers, underscoring the importance of nurturing and supporting the Ranji Trophy as the primary pathway to the national team.

"That is a wonderful thing by the BCCI to reward those who would be playing, but I would also request the BCCI to ensure that the feeder to the Test team, which is the Ranji Trophy, is also looked after,” said Gavaskar.

"If the Ranji Trophy fees can be doubled or tripled, certainly there'll be a lot more people playing the Ranji Trophy, and a lot less pullouts from the Ranji Trophy, because if the fees of playing a Ranji Trophy match are a good fee, there will be fewer people pulling out for various reasons,” he added.