I personally do not like the way the Board of Control for Cricket in India functions. I have been a bitter critic of the board for a very longtime because of their money at any cost attitude. Whether the funds so acquired is spent well is another question. In most cases it is not. I have written quite a few blogs the pathetic condition of the board Also, I have written a few blogs criticising the board over a variety of issues. How they do not care about the paying public till do they even care about the players? At the same time, I have not shied away from mentioning their good deeds too. This blogs is about the noble gesture of the Indian cricket board.
Increase in the pension for the former players
Effective from June 1, BCCI have announced an increase in the pension for former players, both men and women, as well as an increase for the umpires.
Among men, former first-class players, who earlier got INR 15,000 per month, will get INR 30,000, while former Test players, who got INR 37,500, will now receive INR 60,000. Those with INR 50,000 pension will get INR 70,000. Women international players, who got INR 30,000, will receive INR 52,500 from now, while first-class cricketers who retired before 2003 and were getting INR 22,500 will now get INR 45,000.
I applaud BCCI for almost doubling the monthly pension for all sections of players. It is indeed a noble gesture. Most of the players, especially the ones who have not had a long career at the international level, this will come as music to their ears. It is true in the case of those test cricketers who played for the country before the TV revolution.
If only Mr. M. J. Gopalan, the first one to bowl the very first delivery in the first Ranji Trophy game is alive, this renumeration for his services would have made him a happy man. He lived in a one-room house after he stopped playing cricket and hockey. Nevertheless, the cricketers who never made it big at the highest level or were involved in IPL in any form, like Rajesh Chauhan or Venkataramana of Tamil Nadu will be elated at this increase. For that, I commend the BCCI.
Timely financial help
BCCI president Sourav Ganguly said in a statement, “It is extremely important that the financial well-being of our former cricketers is taken care of. The players remain the lifeline and as a board, it is our duty to be by their side once their playing days are over. The umpires have been unsung heroes and the BCCI truly values their contribution.”
In the current scenario, where the prices have raised and the Covid situation, this gesture on the part of the board will soothe the hearts of the former players. This increase comes on top of the increase in medical reimbursement. It has been increased from 5L to 10L for first-class players.
Caution against awarding this benefit to all the players
However, it is not clear whether former players include players like Dhoni, Tendulkar, Dravid or Gavaskar who have earned enough for a few generations that they are not really dependent on the board for their survival. If they are also getting this benefit, it really is a pity because money could have been spent better. Perhaps, BCCI can impose a rule stating that anyone who has been involved in the game in any level in the modern age, be it as a player or as a commentator or in any form in the IPL for a substantial period of time is deemed to have earned enough and they are not eligible for the benefit. Probably the amount so saved can be distributed among the less privileged players equally.
Another gesture that must be mentioned
At the end of IPL 2022, the board announced 1.25CRs as prize money for the curators and groundsmen. Across all the 6 venues. It was a token of appreciation for the quality of pitches that they had laid for all the games.
“I’m pleased to announce prize money of INR 1.25 crores for the men who gave us the best games in #TATAIPL 2022. The unsung heroes – our curators and groundsmen across 6 IPL venues this season,” Jay Shah wrote in his tweet.
Of this, Wankhede, DY Patil, CCI and MCA received 25L each whereas the Narendra Modi stadium and Eden Gardens received half of that amount. It is understandable because the latter grounds hosted only the playoffs which is more or less 2 games per ground.
This would have come as a shot in the arm for the groundsmen and the curators. These are pillars of the game and at the sametime they are never appreciated or recognised for their efforts. If the pitch is poor, they come into the picture rightaway but when the pitch is good and it helps bowlers slightly, the curators are crucified. This recognition on the part of the board will go a longway in satisfying the curators and the groundsmen. They will be motivated to produce good pitches and maintain a lush green outfield.
Conclusion to noble gesture of the Indian cricket board
These couple of announcements by the BCCI is really heartwarming. The former players, especially the ones who have not had a decent enough career will be thrilled with the increased pension. The onus is on the BCCI to take care of those whose financial support is limited. Sportspersons in general, their time is limited. They will have to make the most of it. Not many enjoy a successful career and the financial rewards that come alongwith it. Most of them end up by the wayside. Cricketers are no different. This time, BCCI has really delivered. Hats off to them and I salute them. Hopefully, with the record bid for the IPL rights, this can be increased further.
It is the board’s responsibility to take care of the former players including first class cricketers. For some reason, they were unable to make it big either because of lack of skill or lack of performance.