Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has urged the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to think upon a pay hike for the domestic cricketers playing in the Ranji Trophy.
According to the reports, Ganguly, who is the president of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB), spoke on the much-discussed issue during the BCCI technical committee meeting in Kolkata on Tuesday (August 1).
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“Ganguly enquired as to what all issues were raised at Ranji Captain and Coaches’ Conclave in Mumbai. He was informed that all captains spoke about match fee hike in the domestic tournament which has been an issue,” a BCCI technical committee member, who can’t be officially quoted told PTI on Tuesday.
“When he was told that an average Ranji cricketer earns Rs 10 lakh for a season, he said that it is very less. Dada’s argument was not all domestic players have jobs. Therefore a lot of talented cricketers become insecure if they are injured or out of the team,” the official said.
Earlier this year, veteran off-spinner Harbhajan Singh had asked for the domestic cricketers to be given contracts in order to ensure their financial security. The 37-year-old had stated that uncertainty over income was forcing some players to reconsider their future in the game.
“I hate that I’ve found constant struggle around me in the financial situation of my first-class team-mates,” Harbhajan had told reportedly Anil Kumble in a phone message before the former India coach’s meeting with the Committee of Administrators and BCCI officials to discuss the contracts of the international players. “Even though Ranji Trophy is hosted by the richest cricket board in the world, I appeal to you as a player, who is an inspiration and role model for all Ranji players.”
Even during the Ranji Trophy, captains’ and coaches’ meeting held in May this year, pay hike and contract for domestic cricketers was one of the biggest talking points. As per the reports, many captains supported the idea by saying the Indian board should compare the salary of India’s domestic players with that of domestic players in England and Australia.
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