BCCI AGM: ‘This was long due as our last pay revision was in 2017-18,’ says a senior umpire

Former India captain and CAB chief Sourav Ganguly arrives for the BCCI AGM at Wankhede on Friday. Pic/Ashish Raje

With the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) General Body unanimously approving an enhanced payment structure and reclassification of grades for umpires and match referees, the officials' community in India has heaved a sigh of relief.

A senior umpire, who did not wish to be named, told mid-day on Friday after the 95th AGM of the BCCI: "It was long due as our last pay revision was in 2017-18. In between, there was almost a year of no cricket during COVID when the coffers of match officials took a beating. Finally, it happened at this AGM."

The percentage of the hike, however, was not known. Currently, the top 20 domestic umpires are paid Rs 40,000 per day, while the rest receive Rs 30,000. For T20s, the payment is Rs 20,000 per day.

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia told reporters on Friday that 10 umpires will be promoted from a lower grade and 10 others relegated based on their performances. "At the end of every season, there will be relegation and upgradation. This will make umpires alert throughout the season," Saikia said.

Meanwhile, speaking about the Asia Cup trophies, which the men won in 2025 and the women won recently, but did not collect from Asian Cricket Council chief Mohsin Naqvi of Pakistan, Saikia assured that they "will land up in this office [BCCI headquarters at Wankhede]."