India Women and junior teams will travel by business class hereon

In what can be called a massive boost for women and junior cricket, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to allow all the teams to fly business class. At present, only the senior men’s team, BCCI bosses and high-profile employees fly business class. On Friday, the committee of administrators (COA) is expected to clear this proposal.

The COA feels there should be no hierarchy, and the junior, fringe and women cricket must enjoy the same benefits as the Indian men’s cricket team. “If office staff and office-bearers can fly business class, and if the board could afford to take a member each from all state associations (over 40 people) to the United States last year to watch the India vs West Indies game in Florida, why should these players be discriminated against? After all, they too represent India and should get the same benefits as others,” Indian Express quoted a source.

India U23 team will be traveling to Dhaka for the Emerging Cup on March 23 and may be the first beneficiaries of this new upgrade. The ICC Women’s World Cup will be held in the United Kingdom from June 26. Also, Rahul Dravid coached Under-19 team, will travel to England for a bilateral series in June. There have been instances in the past when high-profile India players expressed annoyance on having to fly economy class to distant places like the West Indies and Australia.

Indian players also partake in domestic tournaments. For example, MS Dhoni is leading Jharkhand in Vijay Hazare Trophy, Kedar Jadhav is leading Maharashtra in the same tournament. It becomes difficult for these high profile players to travel economy class due to fan mob. Hopefully with BCCI’s latest air upgrade, both the cricketers, as well as the airlines, will feel obliged and happy!