Indian cricket legend hailed Priyank Panchal after he announced his retirement from the sport last month following a decorated career in domestic cricket. Panchal never played for India but impressed for Gujarat as well as the India A team.

Panchal is widely considered as one of the best cricketers to never play for India and was a key part of the Parthiv Patel-led side, which won the Vijay Hazare and Ranji Trophy in 2016 and 2017, respectively.

Gavaskar hailed Panchal's career and labelled him unlucky to not get to play for India. However, the Indian cricket legend pointed out that the Gujarat cricket legend will not have much to show in his bank balance despite his successful career.

“Priyank Panchal, the former Gujarat captain, made the tough call to quit Ranji Trophy cricket after serving his State for almost two decades. He was part of the Ranji Trophy-winning Gujarat team, but if there’s one regret he has, it would be that he didn’t get the India cap,” wrote Gavaskar in a column for Sportstar.

“Apart from not getting the India cap, he also wouldn’t have much to show in his bank balance, despite spending the better part of his youth trying to make a career and a living out of the game. “It is here that the lopsided nature of remuneration for other domestic tournaments and that of the IPL, another domestic tournament, stands out," Gavaskar added.

The former India captain called for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to amend the pay system in the IPL and claimed that few uncapped players ended up earning big amounts despite not deserving it due to luck.

“The argument that it is market forces is not really valid, for more often than not, it is sheer good fortune as some franchises want to take a punt with young talent. Have a look at the uncapped crorepatis throughout the IPL, and you will find that very few have gone on to do big things for India. It’s their good luck that has made them the crores that they actually don’t deserve,” said Gavaskar.

Gavaskar advised the BCCI to increase the match fees of the Ranji Trophy in order to ensure players play the tournament and not fake injuries to stay fit for the IPL.

“The BCCI has increased the match fees in recent times, and that’s very good, but if they add the slab system of fees whereby those who play more matches get more, then that would make more players turn up for the Ranji Trophy instead of feigning injury just a month or so before the IPL starts so that they don’t get injured and miss out on the IPL,' stated Gavaskar.

“If the BCCI can also increase the match fees for the teams that reach the knockouts, then that also would be a great incentive for the players to keep playing further, instead of withdrawing in fear of injury before the IPL. Money is not the issue for the BCCI and its affiliated units, so hopefully, these suggestions will be considered before the new domestic season starts,” the Indian cricket legend concluded.

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