The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has transformed cricket into a highly lucrative profession, offering top-tier players annual contracts worth Rs 7 crore. This contrasts sharply with the 1980s, when players earned minimal match fees and allowances, with the BCCI even struggling to fund bonuses after the 1983 World Cup win. Today, a career in cricket is seen as a secure and prestigious path, with parents actively planning their children's futures around potential success in the sport, unlike previous generations who prioritized traditional education and careers.