Cricket in India is a high-pressure game, where leadership on the field often draws the spotlight — and sometimes, the blame. Naturally, many fans wonder whether captains are rewarded with extra pay by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). However, the truth is quite different from popular belief.

No Extra Pay for the Captain’s Role

Despite the leadership responsibilities and scrutiny that come with captaincy, BCCI does not offer any additional monetary benefits to the captain. Every player’s pay is determined solely by their central contract and match participation, not their position in the team hierarchy.

In fact, as seen after India’s recent 28-run loss in the first ODI, both Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer—two prominent names in Indian cricket—draw the same base pay under their BCCI contracts, even though Gill occasionally leads and Iyer contributes as a senior player.

Shubman Gill: A Young Millionaire in the Making

The rising star Shubman Gill earns handsomely from multiple sources.

• BCCI Contract (Grade B): ₹3 crore per year

• Match Fees: ₹15 lakh per Test, ₹6 lakh per ODI, ₹3 lakh per T20I

• IPL 2025 Salary (Gujarat Titans): ₹16.5 crore

• Brand Endorsements: ₹6.8 crore annually

Altogether, Gill’s yearly income adds up to nearly ₹25 crore, a mix of cricketing rewards and commercial success. Yet, despite his growing leadership role, BCCI pays him no extra for captaincy—a reminder that prestige does not translate into higher board pay.

Shreyas Iyer: The IPL Power Earner

Shreyas Iyer, too, enjoys impressive earnings from franchise cricket.

• IPL 2025 Deal (Punjab Kings): ₹26.75 crore — one of the biggest in IPL history.

• BCCI Contract (Grade B): ₹3 crore

• Match Fees: Identical to Gill’s per-match rates.

While Iyer’s IPL income surpasses Gill’s, his BCCI earnings remain the same, reaffirming that central contracts are based on grading, not leadership or popularity. The real rivalry between them lies off the field—in endorsements and IPL deals—not in BCCI’s pay structure.

Inside BCCI’s Player Grading System

The BCCI grades players according to form, consistency, and performance.

• Grade A+: ₹7 crore (e.g., Rohit Sharma)

• Grade A: ₹5 crore

• Grade B: ₹3 crore

• Grade C: ₹1 crore

This system ensures merit-based rewards without favoritism. A player’s title—whether captain, vice-captain, or debutant—does not alter their pay grade. As BCCI insiders often say, “It’s merit, not mantle, that matters.”

The Real Reward Lies in Performance

As India tours Down Under, discussions around salaries and leadership resurface. Yet, the underlying truth remains: the bat holds more power than the armband. In Indian cricket, respect and recognition come from performance, not position.

So, while captains shoulder the nation’s hopes, their bank balance from the board remains unchanged — a reflection of BCCI’s unwavering focus on fairness, form, and performance over fame.

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