BCCI mulls match-availability criterion for Indian cricketers' Central Contracts

The BCCI is considering introducing match availability as a new criterion for awarding central contracts to Indian cricketers, Sports Tak has learnt. A top BCCI source familiar with the development told Sports Tak that discussions are currently underway within the board on whether players should have to meet a certain match-availability threshold to qualify for a central contract.

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Under the proposed system, the BCCI could monitor a player's availability throughout the season before deciding on the annual central contracts. The board is also discussing a formula to determine how many matches, or what percentage of matches, a player would need to be available for to remain eligible.

The move is being considered amid concerns over player availability, particularly with several India players missing matches in recent months due to injuries. The BCCI's thinking is that players should be fit and available for the maximum number of matches possible, and match availability could become an important factor while assessing players for central contracts.

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However, the proposal is still at a very preliminary stage and no decision has been taken yet.

"The discussion is on regarding the idea. For the next central contract, players' availability for the whole season could be monitored. The complete formula will be worked out, including how many matches a player must be available for to be offered a central contract," a top source told Sports Tak.

The source also stressed that nothing has been formalised at this stage and the board will assess the feasibility of the proposal before taking any final call.

"As of now, nothing has been formalised. Going forward, it will be assessed whether this idea is applicable or not," the source added.

If approved, the proposed change could significantly alter the BCCI's central-contract system, making fitness and availability, along with performance, an important consideration for players.