BENGALURU: The Board for Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) on Monday announced a hike in the monthly pensions of former cricketers (both men and women) and umpires with effect from June 1, 2022.
According to the policy, all first-class cricketers who have played 25 to 49 matches till the 2003-04 season used to get Rs 15,000 a month. But now, they will receive Rs 30,000 a month.
Similarly, cricketers who have featured from 50 to 74 first-class matches and 75 and above matches got Rs 22,500 and Rs 30,000 as yet. They are now eligible to receive Rs 45,000 and Rs 52,500 a month respectively.
Till now, all Test cricketers who retired before December 31, 1993, and have played more than 25 matches received Rs 50,000 per month. According to the revised structure, the amount has now been hiked to Rs 70,000.
While the pension hike might not mean much to former Test cricketers such as Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Ravi Shastri etc – who were superstars during their heyday and continue to bag lucrative media assignments – it will be supremely handy, especially for former first-class players who plied their trade in dusty and desolate climes of domestic cricket at a time when the pay was meagre.
Many of these former first-class players fell on hard times financially in their old age and the BCCI often had to step in and take care of their medical expenses.
Krishnan Bhaskar Pillai was one of the most prolific batsmen in the domestic circuit during the 1980s and scored 5,443 first-class runs at an average of 53 but was unfortunate to not have played any Test.
Talking exclusively with The New Indian, he said, “It is a terrific step by the BCCI and will do a world of good to many domestic veterans. I remember when I played my debut first-class match in the early 1980s, I received only Rs 250. There wasn’t much money in domestic cricket at that time. The international cricketers were paid handsomely but there was a little financial reward for domestic ones.”
Pillai, who featured in 95 first-class matches, also stated that some first-class cricketers like him had private jobs, but those who didn’t face financial crises.
“I was employed by a corporation while I was playing first-class cricket. Many public and private organisations used to employ top-flight domestic cricketers so that they could focus on the game without worrying about finances. But there were many who didn’t have jobs and sustaining livelihood merely on match fee of domestic matches wasn’t feasible,” he explained.
“There are many instances where former first-class cricketers faced severe financial crisis after their retirement. After infusing their blood and sweat in an inhospitable domestic circuit, they stared at an uncertain future. The pension hike will ensure that they don’t have to worry about at least their basic needs and medical expenses. I wholeheartedly laud the BCCI’s gesture,” he said.
Former Rajasthan opener Vineet Saxena, who was instrumental in his state lifting Ranji Trophy two times in a row in 2010-11 and 2011-12, also appreciated the BCCI’s announcement but said that the board must add another slab.
“It’s a fantastic decision by the BCCI as it shows they care about the well-being of former cricketers. A lot of first-class veterans will directly benefit from this revision. A few years ago they had also made a lump-sum payment to former cricketers,” he enthusiastically enumerated.
“I have one suggestion. I think the board can add one more slab for those who have played from 10 to 24 first-class matches. A lot more cricketers, who were unfortunate to not play many matches and really need financial support, will get the largesse. After all, they have also contributed towards making Indian cricket the force it is today,” the 41-year-old concluded.