Kohli, Dhoni set to request COA for hike in current central contracts

The players contingent believes that specialists like Cheteshwar Pujara must be compensated a lot better.

The Indian captain bats for specialists like Cheteshwar Pujara to be paid more than their current package

India cricket captain Virat Kohli and former skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni are set to request COA chief Vinod Rai for a substantial hike in the central contracts. But it may be easier said than done as it requires the approval of the general body of BCCI.

The Indian cricketers’ central contracts saw a two-fold rise with the grade A players earning Rs 2 crores annually; earlier, they were drawing Rs 1 crore.

Despite the cent percent hike in annual contracts, the players were apparently still unhappy and erstwhile coach Anil Kumble had given a presentation to the Committee of Administrators about raising it to Rs 5 crores for Grade A cricketers.

The COA, in its third status report submitted to the Supreme Court on April 6, had stated about the proposed recommendations on the restructuring of central contracts.

Read: Central contracts for players to be discussed in CoA meet

“Unlike reports that players want share from the IPL broadcast revenue, they have never ever said anything like that. Yes, they have spoken about a respectable rise. The COA also understands that their payment structure needs revision,” a senior BCCI office bearer, who has been in touch with skipper Kohli, told PTI today.

Currently the Indian players earn less than 8 per cent (7.8 per cent) of BCCI’s revenues and that is something that Rai wants to change. However, unless the general body of the BCCI approves the revised pay structure, the players won’t be getting what they demand at this point of time.

“Now let’s consider a situation wherein Virat or MS requests Mr Rai to consider a pay hike. He can easily tell them that he had already given his recommendations to the Supreme Court in COA’s third status report. Now any fund disbursement of the BCCI would require approval of the General Body.

“A Special General Meeting needs to be summoned where all the members will be taking a call. This is as per constitution of BCCI,” the official said.

The Indian players believe that someone like Cheteshwar Pujara, who doesn’t have a lucrative IPL contract, needs to be adequately compensated for his skills in the ultimate format, Test cricket. Similarly, someone like Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who doesn’t play Test cricket but is part of the other two formats.

Just like England and Wales Cricket Board, Kumble had then suggested separate red and white ball contracts for the players.