The former Test opener Anshuman Gaekwad, who represents the Indian Cricketers Association (ICA) in the BCCI apex council in a statement said that the BCCI is set to come up with a pension proposal for the former players of the Indian cricket team.
The ICA has demanded a pension for the retired players who have played less than 25 first-class games. Apart from that, the ICA also proposed a pension for widows of former cricketers and women domestic cricketers.
In his statement, Gaekwad said, “It was discussed in the last meeting, Sourav Ganguly (BCCI president) has assured he would come up with a proposal in the next meeting.”
He further added, “Not increase in pension, pension also for the widows. At the moment it is 25 matches, it would come down to 10 gradually.”
The BCCI had also recently announced a graded match-fee for senior men’s and women’s cricketers. They also approved 50% of the 2020-21 Ranji Trophy edition’s match fee for those who missed out on the last year’s tournament due to COVID-19.
Commenting on this move, Gaekwad, said, “It is a welcome decision. Not all good cricketers can play for India, not all can earn the same kind of money. At least now they don’t have to worry about their livelihood.”
“A lot has already been done for domestic cricket and, it is evident with the depth we have in the national team.”
He further added, “We have seen COVID was there last two years and, there was no cricket. Time has come and, we have to carry on. We just can’t keep waiting for things to get normal. You take your precautions and get on with it.”
The apex council had also decided not to provide compensation to more than 500 match officials in Indian cricket for the curtailed 2020-21 domestic season due to COVID-19.