MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli to discuss players’ salaries with CoA

Currently, the Indian cricketers are grouped into different grades and their annual contracts are assigned based on the grades in which they fall. Before he vacated the position of head coach, Anil Kumble had raised questions about how the contracts handed to Indian players could be smaller as compared to some other boards despite the BCCI making the most money. 

Currently, Grade A, B, and C players earn Rs 2 crore, Rs 1 crore, and Rs 50 lakh per year respectively. Kumble had asked for the amount to be doubled and it was reported that the CoA were seriously considering getting the same done. However this was before the BCCI entered a five-year, Rs. 3269.4 crore a year, deal with Star for the broadcasting rights of the IPL.

“These players requested Rai to call them for a meeting as they have few issues to discuss before going to South Africa. So the BCCI has called three of them. As third Test is starting on December 2, New Delhi has been chosen as the venue for the meeting. The major issues is the hike in players’ contract,” a BCCI official told the Indian Express while adding that the players had asked for the meeting that is scheduled for November 30. 

Apart from the pay hikes, the players, reportedly, also wanted to seek clarity about the conflict of interest rules that the CoA wishes to add in the new guidelines. Reports have suggested that the CoA is planning on sending a form to the players asking to declare any association that may or may not fall under the new conflict of interest rules.

Another problem that is going to be discussed is the problem of cramped scheduling which has created quite a stir after Kohli revealed that the team had just a two-day break between the Sri Lanka series and leaving for the South African tour. The reports suggested that the players don’t want the BCCI to add more series in the schedule once the Future Tour Programme (FTP) is finalised. 

“Indian board has the habit of putting a series whenever they find a gap in their calendar. Players don’t want that and want to discuss it with the CoA,” the source added.