![Sri Lanka players [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1777199114493_SriLanka.jpg?type=hq)
Sri Lanka players [Source: AFP]
Cricket in Sri Lanka seems to be bracing itself for a major change, both in leadership and in player’s contract system, in the coming months. Amid reports of making possible changes in the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) administration, another report indicate that the Sri Lankan cricket players will no longer get any bonuses for beating lower-ranked teams.
Moreover, players might even face penalties for losing matches. Such stricter rules regarding rewards system will likely be introduced by the SLC in a bid to yield positive results against the top four sides in the world.
No bonuses in place if Sri Lanka wins against lower-ranked teams
Earlier, Sri Lanka cricket players were prone to receiving bonuses from the SLC for defeating all teams ranked between one and nine. However, several Sri Lanka media outlets are claiming that the SLC is planning to implement a rule where Sri Lanka players will only receive bonuses for winning a series against any of the top-four ranked sides in the world.
Also Read- Sri Lanka Star Kicks Aside PSL Contract To Play Unofficial Match
Even winning a match against a top-four ranked team will not be enough. The media further stated that such a proposal will soon be presented to the Sri Lanka players by their national board.
Sri Lanka players to pay fines in losses, rewards system still in place
Not only will the Sri Lanka players not receive any bonus from the SLC for winning matches or series against lower-ranked teams, but the players might also have to pay fines for losing a series.
There is still a reward system in place for the players. The proposal indicates that if the Sri Lanka team manages to defeat one of the top-four teams on the ICC rankings, especially away from home, the players will receive massive bonuses.
Players will also receive bonuses for defeating top-ranked teams at home. However, such a bonus will be comparatively smaller owing to the team’s home advantage. Here is a detailed bonus structure as circulating in Sri Lanka media circles.
Sri Lanka Bonus Structure
Test Cricket (Away Series Wins):
Win against No. 1 team - $150,000
Win against No. 2 team - $100,000
Win against No. 3 team - $75,000
Win against No .4 team - $60,000
Test Cricket (Home Series Wins):
Win against No. 1 - $100,000
Win against No. 2 - $75,000
Win against No. 3 - $50,000
Win against No. 4 - $25,000
ODI Cricket:
Bonuses vary depending on ranking and home/away, with higher rewards for away wins
T20I Cricket:
Same bonus for both home and away, equal to ODI away-series rewards
The SLC is also reportedly encouraging players in reaching personal milestones. If a player reaches number one ICC ranking in any category in any of the three international playing formats, the player will receive a bonus of $25,000.
If any player reaches positions two to five on the ICC rankings, the player will receive a bonus of $20,000.
Sri Lanka marred with underwhelming results
The Sri Lanka cricket team, plagued with key player injuries, recently failed to reach the semifinal of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup at home. The team also suffered crushing ODI and T20I series defeats to England prior to the tournament.
Sri Lanka lost to Pakistan in the T20I tri-series final last November, and failed to reach the final of the 2025 Men’s T20 Asia Cup in the UAE. Marred with underwhelming results across all formats, the SLC now appears intent on enforcing a far more result-driven culture with the proposed bonus-and-penalty system.
Also Read- Karun Nair's Catch Drop Blame Shifted To Another Delhi Capitals Player
