CRICKET

CoA, players agree in principle to pay hike, future tours programme

vinod-rai-pti CoA chairman Vinod Rai

The Committee of Administrators led by Vinod Rai met Team India skipper Virat Kohli, Mahendra Singh Dhoni and head coach Ravi Shastri to discuss issues related to player remuneration and the proposed Future Tours Programme presently under discussion. Both sides agreed in principle to the improved compensation and the proposed FTP being worked out by Board CEO Rahul Johri and his team.

The meeting which took place in the team hotel lasted for almost two and a half hours. The Indian team is in New Delhi for the third Test against Sri Lanka, starting December 2.

Speaking to the media after the CoA meeting with his colleague Diana Edulji and the BCCI top brass, Rai announced that both parties were in 'sync' with each other's views. “We had extensive discussions with players on issues which pertain to them directly. These include, number of matches we have to play, FTP, compensation for matches, among others. All discussions were very fruitful, they were very receptive”.

Rai emphasised that the players went back happy that they had been heard. “They said it's the first time that anybody is having a dialogue with them. Otherwise, decisions were taken and communicated to them. So, we have taken all their inputs. Now, we have to factor it in.”

According to sources, Shastri opened the discussion on the players' behalf. The players and coach emphasised on adequate rest between tours, enough time for warm-up matches ahead of key tours and going into an important series well prepared. Johri shared the presentation on the proposed FTP, which was also shared with the BCCI members.

Rai said, “They [players] are in agreement with FTP, so that they have enough rest. I can't tell you right now about the number of days. We haven't worked it out yet.”

Rai did not specify the numbers, when it came to the players' demand for a pay hike. However, he said that the framework has been worked out. The BCCI had ratified 26 per cent of its total revenue to be distributed among the players. Of this, centrally contracted and domestic players get 50 per cent each. However, the Board coffers have been overflowing with bigger sponsorship deals for Indian cricket. Also, the players do not get money from IPL media rights kitty. Media rights for Indian cricket will be up for grabs next year.

“We have reached an agreement on the principles of the compensation package. Now, we have to look at the numbers. We will now match revenue with compensation that each player will receive.”

Reportedly, Dhoni and Kohli pointed out the difference in pay packets for Indian players when compared to Australian, England and South African players. Sources said, the players requested the CoA to look at the “industry standards and models of remuneration followed by the Australian and England Boards.”

It will be interesting to see whether the new media rights get the same value, or higher and, if so, by how much. Broadcasters, reportedly, are keen to know not just the number of days Team India will be playing but also who they will be playing against. Plus, broadcasters have been complaining of finding Test cricket difficult to sell.

Also, the BCCI has been hit by the Rs 850-crore arbitration awarded to the former IPL team, Kochi Tuskers. This, along with a Rs 52-crore fine slapped by Competition Commission of India. A section of the old guard also tend to include the “loss of revenue” the BCCI incurred after the undoing of the Big Three model in International Cricket Council, to the tune of $120 million.

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