Compromise formula results in windfall for cricketers

In a bid to strike a balance between the players' demands and the BCCI coffers, CoA has arrived at a sort of a compromise formula while finalising the much-delayed player retainers for 2017-18.

A new category of Grade A+ has been introduced by the BCCI.

In a bid to strike a balance between the players' demands and the BCCI coffers, the Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators (CoA) has arrived at a sort of a compromise formula while finalising the much-delayed player retainers for 2017-18.

While announcing the revised player contracts for the period from October 2017 to September 2018, Vinod Rai-led CoA created a new provision to ensure the international men, women and domestic cricketers' annual retainer does not suffer even if India plays lesser number of matches at home.

“The CoA recognises that the actual income of the BCCI fluctuates on an annual basis depending on the number of home matches Team India (Senior Men) plays. Hence, to insulate the player compensation, the CoA has sanctioned the creation of a Players Revenue/Compensation Equalization Fund” (PR/CEF) to which the BCCI will contribute approximately INR 125 Cr per annum from its surplus,” Rai said in a statement.

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During his year-long stint as India head coach, Anil Kumble in consultation with captain Virat Kohli had demanded that the BCCI's income through other sources, primarily broadcast and sponsorship money for the Indian Premier League, be factored in while calculating the player income. The additional provision of Rs. 125 crore annually could well strike a balance between the two parties.

However, the BCCI office-bearers and members are surprised with the CoA bypassing them yet again while taking a major decision. The convention for finalising the player contracts is the board secretary first convenes a selection committee for the same purpose and it is followed by a meeting between the president, the secretary and the chief selector to finalise the contract list.

'Selectors not involved'

“I have had no role to play in this decision. And I can confirm that none in the BCCI have been involved in this decision. As for the selection committee, being the acting secretary, I am supposed to convene the selection meetings, and I confirm the committee did not meet once for this purpose,” acting secretary Amitabh Choudhary told Sportstar on Wednesday.