Sourav Ganguly supports Indian players on pay hike issue

As per the annual contract of 2016-17, Grade A players were paid two crore rupees per annum while Grade B and C cricketers received one crore and 50 lakhs respectively. The players were also remunerated by 15 lakhs per Test, 6 lakhs per One-Day International and three lakhs for each T20I. Former coach Anil Kumble, in his 19-page proposal on restructuring contracts submitted to the BCCI in May 2017, had suggested for a pay hike for the cricketers as well. However, while the annual contracts have been due for renewal since the past two months, it is now believed that players’ demand for a hike was finally accepted by the CoA and former India skipper Sourav Ganguly also supported the same. 

"Absolutely, players should get money, why not? The Board makes so much money, the players should also get it. When Virat Kohli plays, the entire country watches him," Ganguly said at a promotional event in Mumbai, reported PTI.

"Players should be very well looked after because the (career) span is only 15 years. Not many (players) play for 15 (years), very few play for 20 (years). So, I am a big supporter of that (pay hike)," Ganguly said.

"The BCCI does that. If you look at the way the players are looked after these days, it's phenomenal. I have actually seen the entire circle. When I played in 1991, for the entire trip in Australia, I got paid Rs 30,000, and when I finished in 2013, I could see the drastic change. It's in every profession," he added.

Just two days after hosting Sri Lanka in the last limited-overs match of the ongoing tour on December 24, India will fly out to South Africa for three Tests, six One-day Internationals, and three T20 Internationals in almost a two-month long gruelling tour. The packed scheduling has frustrated Indian skipper Virat Kohli, who didn't fail to point out in a press conference that it was easy to criticise players for non-performance overseas, but the insufficient time given them to get accustomed to the conditions has often been ignored. The statement led the attention of MS Dhoni as well and he came out in support of his skipper. Ganguly, though, presented a balanced view and stated that both the parties can sit and discuss on things. 

"Virat is the captain, if he sorts the issue out, it will get done. I don't see much problem there. Before going on tours, I think they should clear it out. It isn't difficult to sit down and talk about this and clear things.

"All the players are playing well. They are all hitting centuries. Virat is in top form, so it's okay, let them play," Ganguly said.