Indian Cricketers Association’s (ICA) female representative to the BCCI Apex Council Shantha Rangaswamy thinks newly-elected BCCI President Sourav Ganguly will bring a lot of changes in the Indian cricket. While speaking to IANS, she said, a re-look could be done on the contracts of Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane.
“We already have brackets wherein Virat plays all three formats so he is in the highest bracket. Some play only Tests, some play T20Is, so they are remunerated accordingly. With Ganguly there (as President), it can be revisited. And maybe what is good for the game and the welfare of the players can be taken up,” she said.
“I think what Virat had advocated for is sensible. In fact (apart from Pujara) even Rahane for that matter doesn’t play T20Is for India, but their performances mean that what they are getting could be re-looked. I think Virat has a very valid point in there and I am sure the new BCCI Apex Council will look into the matter and hopefully it will be done keeping the interest of the players in mind as the President is a former cricketer,” Shantha Rangaswamy said.
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As per the current pay structure, there are four grades – A+, A, B and C. A+ category get Rs 7 crore while A get Rs 5 crore, B gets Rs 3 crore and those in C get Rs 1 crore. On the other hand, in the women’s game, there are three grades – A, B and C where A are getting Rs 50 lakh, B get Rs 30 lakh and C getting Rs 10 lakh.
“I don’t think we can draw a parallel with professional cricketers’ association across the world. For example, the professional cricketers association in Australia has seven members and current players are its members. But here, it is only the retired players. Also, the first thing is that ICA isn’t a paid union, so, we may take up their matter, but then, the contracts and all the Apex Council will primarily decide. Yes, Anshuman Gaekwad and I will be there and we will surely be representing the interest of the players and back player centric policies,” she said.
Asked if along with Gaekwad she would be in constant touch with the ICA, Shantha said: “The two of us will be in the BCCI and the players association will be headed by Ashok Malhotra. We will be in the BCCI Apex Council and the opinions that they share with us, we will look to make their voices heard.”
