Ravi Shastri and Sunil Gavaskar trump MS Dhoni and co. as BCCI's highest-paid retainers
Although it emerged recently that India captain MS Dhoni, with a brand value of $20 million in 2014, is the 5th most valuable sports athelete brand in the world, as far as getting paid the most by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is concerned, neither him nor any of his colleagues hold that distinction, with the privilege, instead, going to former India captains Sunil Gavaskar and Ravi Shastri.
Gavaskar’s and Shastri’s new roles as head of IPL operations and Director of Cricket, respectively, mean that they are getting paid an added bonus of approximately Rs 2 crore, in addition to their Rs 4 crore per year contract as BCCI commentators.
“The board pays Shastri and Gavaskar Rs 4 crore annually as commentators. As per Supreme Court orders, Gavaskar will be paid an extra Rs 2.37 crore. Roughly the same will be given to Shastri,” confirmed a BCCI official to the Indian Express.
Dhoni, meanwhile, has been paid Rs 2.59 crores, which includes match fees as well as his Rs 1 crore retainer fee, for playing 35 international matches over the last 12 months. Virat Kohli, having played 39 international matches in the same period, was paid a total of Rs 2.75 crore.
It has been reported that Shastri, who has been appointed Director of Cricket until next year’s ICC World Cup, agreed to take up the role only after being assured by the board that they will compensate him for the money he has lost as a result of giving up his media duties.