Mumbai Cricket Association becomes India's first state cricket association to introduce a structured player-contract model from the 2026-27 domestic season — graded salaries across Grades A, B, and C.
मुंबई क्रिकेट संघ (MCA) 2026-27 घरेलू सत्र से संरचित खिलाड़ी-अनुबंध मॉडल लागू करने वाला भारत का पहला राज्य क्रिकेट संघ बना — ग्रेड A, B एवं C की श्रेणीबद्ध वेतन संरचना।
Why in News
The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has announced the introduction of a structured player-contract system starting from the 2026-27 domestic cricket season — making it the first state cricket association in India to implement such a model. Under the scheme, approved at the recent MCA Apex Council meeting, players are categorised into three grades: Grade A (₹12 lakh to ₹20 lakh per annum), Grade B (₹8 lakh to ₹12 lakh per annum), and Grade C (up to ₹8 lakh per annum). The scheme specifically targets consistent domestic performers who have not represented India or been part of any IPL team in the last two seasons. MCA President Ajinkya Naik has framed the move as providing financial security for non-IPL, non-international domestic performers.
At a Glance
- Organisation
- Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA)
- Announcement
- First state cricket association in India to introduce structured player contracts
- Applies from
- 2026-27 domestic cricket season
- Approval
- MCA Apex Council meeting
- Grade A salary
- ₹12 lakh to ₹20 lakh per annum
- Grade B salary
- ₹8 lakh to ₹12 lakh per annum
- Grade C salary
- ₹8 lakh per annum (source phrasing; exact lower bound not specified)
- Target beneficiaries
- Consistent domestic performers not featured in IPL or international cricket
- Eligibility — fitness
- Minimum fitness standards set by MCA
- Eligibility — India representation
- Must not have represented India in any format in the last two seasons
- Eligibility — IPL
- Must not have been part of any IPL team in the last two seasons
- Eligibility — process
- Recommendation by the selection committee
- MCA President
- Ajinkya Naik
The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has introduced a structured player-contract system starting from the 2026-27 domestic cricket season — becoming the first state cricket association in India to do so. Under the model, approved at the recent MCA Apex Council meeting, players are categorised into three grades: Grade A at ₹12 lakh to ₹20 lakh per annum, Grade B at ₹8 lakh to ₹12 lakh per annum, and Grade C at ₹8 lakh per annum (per source; the lower bound is not explicitly specified but is below Grade B's floor). The scheme specifically targets consistent domestic performers who have not represented India in any format and have not been part of any IPL team in the last two seasons — players who deliver strong long-format performance but lack exposure to lucrative platforms. Eligibility conditions require minimum MCA fitness standards and recommendation by the selection committee. MCA President Ajinkya Naik has positioned the scheme as providing financial security for non-IPL, non-international domestic performers and incentivising sustained commitment to long-format and domestic cricket.
मुंबई क्रिकेट संघ (MCA) ने 2026-27 घरेलू क्रिकेट सत्र से संरचित खिलाड़ी-अनुबंध प्रणाली की शुरुआत की है — यह ऐसा करने वाला भारत का पहला राज्य क्रिकेट संघ बना है। MCA Apex Council की बैठक में स्वीकृत इस मॉडल में खिलाड़ियों को तीन ग्रेड में बाँटा गया है — ग्रेड A (₹12 लाख से ₹20 लाख प्रति वर्ष), ग्रेड B (₹8 लाख से ₹12 लाख प्रति वर्ष), ग्रेड C (₹8 लाख प्रति वर्ष)। यह योजना विशेष रूप से ऐसे निरंतर घरेलू प्रदर्शनकर्ताओं को लक्षित करती है जिन्होंने पिछले दो सत्रों में भारत का किसी भी प्रारूप में प्रतिनिधित्व नहीं किया है एवं किसी IPL टीम का हिस्सा नहीं रहे हैं। MCA अध्यक्ष अजिंक्य नाईक ने इस योजना को ग़ैर-IPL, ग़ैर-अंतर्राष्ट्रीय घरेलू प्रदर्शनकर्ताओं के लिए वित्तीय सुरक्षा के रूप में प्रस्तुत किया है।
Grade ग्रेड | Per annum प्रति वर्ष | Target profile लक्ष्य प्रोफ़ाइल |
|---|---|---|
Grade A ग्रेड A | ₹12-20 lakh ₹12-20 लाख | Top domestic performers शीर्ष घरेलू प्रदर्शन |
Grade B ग्रेड B | ₹8-12 lakh ₹8-12 लाख | Core squad members मुख्य टीम सदस्य |
Grade C ग्रेड C | ₹8 lakh ₹8 लाख | Emerging domestic players उभरते घरेलू खिलाड़ी |
Static GK
- •Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA): State cricket association governing cricket in Mumbai; one of the oldest and most successful state associations; founded 1930
- •MCA in Ranji Trophy: Mumbai has the most Ranji Trophy titles of any team — over 40 — and is historically the benchmark for Indian domestic cricket
- •Ajinkya Naik: President of MCA; former first-class cricketer; business-and-administration background
- •BCCI central contracts (for context): Board of Control for Cricket in India issues grade-based central contracts (Grade A+, A, B, C) to senior international players; this MCA scheme is a state-level analogue
- •Indian domestic cricket structure: Ranji Trophy (first-class), Vijay Hazare Trophy (List A), Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (T20); state associations like MCA field teams in all three
- •Ranji Trophy match fees (BCCI): BCCI has separately raised match fees for Ranji Trophy players in recent seasons; MCA's grade contracts are additional to BCCI match fees
Timeline
- 1930Mumbai Cricket Association founded.
- 2024-26MCA Apex Council discussions on structured player remuneration.
- 2026 (April)Player-contract model approved at Apex Council meeting; announced publicly.
- 2026-27 seasonPlayer-contract scheme applies from this domestic cricket season.
- →MCA = Mumbai Cricket Association. 1930 mein founded. Ranji Trophy mein 40+ titles — sabse zyada.
- →First STATE cricket association ko structured player contracts. BCCI-level contracts pehle se thi; ab state level par bhi.
- →Teen grades: A (₹12-20L), B (₹8-12L), C (up to ₹8L). Per annum basis.
- →Scheme applies: 2026-27 domestic cricket season se.
- →Target: domestic grinders jinho ne last 2 seasons mein India nahi khela AUR IPL mein bhi nahi the.
- →President = Ajinkya Naik (former first-class cricketer).
- →Eligibility: MCA fitness + no India selection + no IPL + selection committee recommendation. Char conditions.
Exam Angles
The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has become the first state cricket association in India to introduce a structured player-contract model — applicable from 2026-27 — with three salary grades: Grade A (₹12-20 lakh), Grade B (₹8-12 lakh), Grade C (up to ₹8 lakh) for non-IPL, non-international domestic performers.
Q1. The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has become the first state cricket association in India to introduce:
- A.A women's IPL team
- B.A structured player-contract model with graded salaries
- C.A players' union
- D.A domestic T20 franchise league
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Answer: B. A structured player-contract model with graded salaries
MCA is the first state cricket association in India to introduce a structured player-contract model with graded salaries, applicable from the 2026-27 domestic season.
Q2. Under the MCA contract model, the Grade A salary band is:
- A.₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh per annum
- B.₹8 lakh to ₹12 lakh per annum
- C.₹12 lakh to ₹20 lakh per annum
- D.₹20 lakh to ₹30 lakh per annum
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Answer: C. ₹12 lakh to ₹20 lakh per annum
Grade A is ₹12 lakh to ₹20 lakh per annum; Grade B is ₹8 lakh to ₹12 lakh; Grade C is up to ₹8 lakh.
Q3. To be eligible for an MCA player contract, a cricketer must meet which of the following conditions?
- A.Have played at least one IPL season
- B.Have represented India in at least one format
- C.Not have represented India or played in any IPL team in the last two seasons, plus meet fitness standards and selection-committee recommendation
- D.Be a Mumbai resident for 5+ years
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Answer: C. Not have represented India or played in any IPL team in the last two seasons, plus meet fitness standards and selection-committee recommendation
Eligibility requires no India representation in any format in the last two seasons, no IPL team participation in the last two seasons, MCA fitness standards, and selection-committee recommendation.
Q4. The Mumbai Cricket Association was founded in:
- A.1888
- B.1930
- C.1947
- D.1974
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Answer: B. 1930
The Mumbai Cricket Association was founded in 1930; Mumbai is historically India's most successful Ranji Trophy team.
Common Confusions
- Trap · BCCI vs MCA contracts
Correct: BCCI central contracts (Grade A+/A/B/C) are for senior international players at the national level. MCA's scheme is at the STATE association level, targeting domestic-only performers. They are separate systems; a player can receive BCCI match fees AND MCA contract payments if eligible.
- Trap · Grade thresholds
Correct: Grade A: ₹12-20 lakh per annum. Grade B: ₹8-12 lakh. Grade C: ₹8 lakh (per source phrasing; the lower bound is not explicitly specified). Not confused with any other Indian cricket grading system.
- Trap · Eligibility — IPL and India representation exclusion
Correct: The scheme EXCLUDES players who have represented India in the last two seasons OR been part of an IPL team in the last two seasons. This is targeted support for non-IPL, non-international domestic grinders — not a reward for national/IPL players.
- Trap · First state association claim
Correct: MCA is the FIRST state cricket association in India to introduce a structured player-contract model. Other state associations have issued match fees or ad-hoc payments; MCA's graded annual-contract architecture is unprecedented at the state level.
Flashcard
Q · MCA player-contract model — first-in-India status, three salary grades, and eligibility exclusions?tap to reveal
Suggested Reading
- Mumbai Cricket Association — Apex Council decisionsearch: mumbaicricket.com Apex Council player contract 2026-27
Prerequisites · concepts to brush up first
- Indian domestic cricket structure — Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare, Syed Mushtaq Ali
- BCCI central-contract system basics
- MCA's historical primacy in Indian cricket