Ravi Shastri Feels India Deserves Even Bigger ICC Revenue Shares: “Look at the TV Rights When India Travels”

Ex-India head coach Ravi Shastri pointed out how India contributes the most to the ICC's annual revenue, owing to the popularity of cricket in the country.

Ravi Shastri Feels India Deserves Even Bigger ICC Revenue Shares: “Look at the TV Rights When India Travels”

Ravi Shastri advocated a greater share of ICC revenue for India, more than the 38 percent that it receives now. (via Aaj Tak)

Former Indian cricketer-turned commentator Ravi Shastri advocated for India receiving a larger share of the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) revenue. Shastri argued that the country’s contribution to the sport, and its overall popularity justifies the claim for a bigger share. 

Since the turn of the 21st century, India has solidified its position as a cricketing powerhouse, with the sport experiencing a significant surge in both financial influence and popularity within the country. The introduction of the IPL, now one of the world’s most valuable sporting events, has further amplified the South-Asian nation’s global standing in cricket, attracting players and businesses from across the globe.

The BCCI as a result, holds the top spot as the world’s richest cricket board, boasting a net worth of approximately $2.25 billion. The cricket viewership numbers in India are absolutely staggering, reflecting the sport’s deep cultural penetration in the country. India roughly has around 612 million cricket viewers, making it the most-watched sport in the country, and the second-most watched across the world.

Meanwhile, the BCCI is by far the largest contributor to the ICC, primarily due to the immense commercial value and popularity of cricket in the nation. India almost contributes 70-80 percent of ICC’s global revenue, primarily due to the overwhelming viewership numbers as well as the lucrative television and streaming rights. Therefore, like the other 11 full-member (Test playing) nations, India too receives a share of the ICC’s revenues at the end of each year.

In this 2024-27 cycle, India gets a massive 38.5 percent of ICC’s total revenue, which amounts to around $230 million out of a total $600 million. India’s share therefore, is significantly higher than that of other cricket powerhouses, including England (6.89 percent) and Australia (6.25 percent). In spite of this unequal distribution, ex-Team India coach Ravi Shastri called for India’s share to be increased, given the country’s strong foothold in the cricketing world. 

Shastri on a Wisden Cricket Weekly Podcast, argued that India deserves a higher share owing to the fact that most of the revenue generated by the ICC, comes primarily from India or from matches featuring the Indian cricket team. The 63-year-old also highlighted how demand for television rights significantly increases during series featuring India or when the team tours other nations.

I would want more for India because most of the money that’s generated comes from India. So it’s only fair that they get their share of pound of flesh… When India travels, look at the television rights, look at the television income that comes for an India series.

Ravi Shastri drew a parallel to the 1970s and 80s, when Australia and England were the top earners, emphasizing that the financial momentum has since shifted towards India and could continue to do so. Therefore, it remains to be seen whether the ICC changes the existing revenue model, incorporating the suggestions he made.

Ravi Shastri Issues Firm Message to Gautam Gambhir, Following Headingley Test Defeat

Former Indian all-rounder Ravi Shastri sent a stern message to Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir, on how to manage the emotions in the dressing room, following the team’s demoralizing defeat to England in the series opener. Shastri advised Gambhir to be ‘hard’ on his players. 

Ravi Shastri advice to Gautam Gambhir
Ravi Shastri advised Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir to be ‘hard’ on his players. (via Cricket Addictor)

The 1983 World Cup winner discussed the missed opportunities that led to India’s defeat in Leeds. Ravi Shastri stated that the team’s poor fielding effort, specifically dropping seven catches, should be taken seriously by the current Indian head coach. The 63-year-old, who was India’s head coach from 2017 to 2021, advised Gambhir to be more stern in the dressing room in order to get the best out of his players. He told Sky Sports Cricket:

These are the areas where you’ve got to be hard at times as a coach, really hard in that dressing room. There are certain things where you tick off a few guys.

Nonetheless, India will be hoping to make a comeback from the opening loss, when they take on England in the second Test match at Edgbaston in Birmingham. The Men in Blues’ star bowler Jasprit Bumrah, who claimed a five-wicket haul in an innings in the first match, might be rested for the second Test.