Indian players unhappy despite pay hike

Despite receiving a pay increment as part of their yearly contracts, Team India players have exhibited displeasure at their yearly retainer values, although they were doubled from the previous year.

The BCCI had released the annual contracts of the men’s team for this season, and it was known that they doubled the yearly retainer values from last year. For the A grade players, the value is set at Rs. 2 crore while Grade B and Grade C players earn Rs. 1 crore and Rs. 50 Lakh respectively.

The BCCI also gave an increment in the match fees for the players, increasing it from Rs. 7 Lakh to Rs. 15 Lakh in Tests, and in T20s from Rs. 2 Lakh to Rs. 3 Lakh. In fact, this was the first time since 2010 when changes were made in the pay structure.

“Things have gathered momentum over the last three months or so, through the New Zealand and England series. Almost every player has been involved in the discussions”, a source was quoted as saying to ESPNCricinfo.

The displeasure of the players was triggered from the fact that the Australian and English teams get higher retainers than the Indians, around Rs. 8 to 12 crore.

Another complaint was regarding how the finances are distributed of finances. While IPL has been the largest revenue generator for the BCCI, the players say they have not been given ample share of the profit.

The players sent their complaints through Anil Kumble, the head coach, who then submitted a proposal to the Committee of Administrators (CoA).

BCCI need to fix this issue as soon as possible, because June is only two months away, when India will travel to England for the all-important Champions Trophy, and look to regain it from 2013.