Regularly being available for India could soon carry greater weight when the BCCI decides which players receive central contracts. The Board of Control for Cricket in India is discussing whether a player’s match availability should become part of the eligibility criteria for the annual central contracts. As per Sports Tak, the board is examining the possibility of setting a minimum benchmark, although the exact requirement has not been decided.
The discussion comes at a time when injuries have forced several Indian players to miss matches, putting greater emphasis on squad availability and fitness management.
For now, there is no confirmed match quota or percentage requirement. Under the system being considered, the BCCI would keep track of how often a player is available during the season before contracts are finalised. One of the major questions still being worked out is whether eligibility should depend on a fixed number of matches or a percentage of India’s fixtures. “The discussion is on regarding the idea. For the next central contract, players’ availability for the whole season could be monitored. “As of now, nothing has been formalised. Going forward, it will be assessed whether this idea is applicable or not,” the source added. If the BCCI ultimately approves the idea, central contracts could involve another layer of assessment. A player’s performances would remain relevant, but repeated unavailability could potentially affect eligibility depending on the final formula. The BCCI is still examining the proposal and will decide whether the system can be implemented for the next central contract cycle.
The biggest unanswered question is therefore not whether availability is being discussed, but how the board would measure it.
The complete formula will be worked out, including how many matches a player must be available for to be offered a central contract,” the source told Sports Tak.
