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The pay-to-play culture that is haunting the IPL has now seeped into state cricket as well. If players can allegedly be blackmailed into paying commissions or “cut money” at the highest level, it is hardly surprising that state leagues have not been spared.
It has come to light that some state cricket officials and a politician associated with the game are working hand in glove to perpetuate this rampant corruption. The price of securing a place in a state T20 league can range from gold coins and expensive gifts to even facilitating land and cash deals, all in exchange for opportunities to feature in state-level T20 matches.
Even franchise owners who have invested heavily in teams do not have the freedom to appoint their own coaches and support staff. In many cases, even the playing XI is allegedly influenced by state officials under the guise of promoting local talent.
There are also allegations that a Ranji Trophy coach accepted plots of land in Noida in exchange for backing a cricketer’s selection in another state’s setup.
Sources claim that the going rate for securing a spot in two to three Ranji Trophy matches for a leading North Zone team is around ₹60 lakh. For Under-19 selections, the figure is said to be approximately ₹20 lakh, while a place in a state T20 league can reportedly cost anywhere between ₹15 lakh and ₹25 lakh. In addition, players are allegedly required to part with a share of their match fees as part of the arrangement.
CricBlogger spoke to several cricketers from the outside of Delhi region who claimed they are even sacrificing a portion of their match fees for opportunities to play in North-East states. With the recommendations of the Lodha Committee enabling North-Eastern states to field their own teams, critics argue that insufficient oversight has allowed corruption at the state level to flourish.
“It has become an accepted norm now. Even cricketers from humble backgrounds are forced to exhaust their savings in pursuit of a cricketing career,” a source said. “Instead of being rewarded for talent and hard work, many feel they have to pay their way through the system.”
Those with strong connections within state cricket administrations often appear to enjoy the greatest advantages, while players from humble backgrounds are left to bear the brunt of the system. Sources allege that influential power brokers have spent years mastering the art of navigating — and exploiting — the system for personal gain, with little accountability or oversight to curb such practices.
“There are individuals who know exactly how the system works and how to use it to their advantage,” a source claimed. “Meanwhile, talented cricketers from less privileged backgrounds continue to struggle because there is no effective mechanism in place to prevent these alleged malpractices.”
How is this going to end? Will it become an accepted norm? Hope BCCI takes some drastic action some day!
Absolutely Right