Amidst the furore over the Indian team's poor performance in South Africa, the Board of Control for Cricket in India on Friday said it may consider a suggestion to introduce performance-based payments to players, but ruled out any immediate pay cut.
BCCI vice-president Shashank Manohar on Thursday kicked off a storm by stating that if he had his way, not a penny would be paid to non-performing players.
However, BCCI's Chief Administrative Officer Ratnakar Shetty said there is no immediate danger for the players on this count, but the suggestion would be taken up for discussion once the team returns from South Africa.
"These things have not been discussed as yet with the players. The discussions on the clauses of the new contracts would be done only after the team's return from South Africa," Shetty said.
"Yes, some members feel that the match fees paid to the players should be performance-related but no such discussions have taken place with the players as yet," he added.
Manohar had said in Nagpur that if he has his way the players would "not be paid a single penny" for the second ODI against South Africa in Durban, in which India suffered a huge 157-run defeat.
"The way our team played last night, none of the players should be paid a single penny. As it is, we have been blamed for making players millionaires by way of bonus payments. Now, let there be a system whereby only those who perform get good money," Manohar was quoted as saying in media reports.
"We are administrators and we have done our utmost to provide the players with the best of facilities and support staff. It's the job of the players to deliver on the field, not ours. We at best can take corrective action and measures," he said.
Manohar's reaction came in the wake of stringent criticism of the Indian team's performance by Parliamentarians, who demanded sacking of coach Greg Chappell.
However, some board sources questioned the logic behind the politicians slamming the coach for India's dismal display.
"How can you blame the coach for the players' display? He's just a facilitator and is not on the ground and performing. How can you blame a teacher for the pupils' poor show in an examination?" they asked.