Harbhajan pens letter to Kumble requesting rise in Ranji fees
Harbhajan Singh has written to Anil Kumble requesting the India coach to bring up the topic of hike in payment for domestic cricketers when he meets with the CoA to discuss National player salaries. 'Bhajji' has also asked legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid to get involved in the issue.
Kumble is scheduled to make a presentation to the Committee of Administrators on May 21 to revise the salary structure of National team cricketers to match international standards, which would mean a Rs 3 crore raise in their salaries. Harbhajan has asked his former teammate to help out domestic cricketers as well.
I request you to please take this up with the top brass of BCCI and players like Sachin, Rahul, Laxman, Viru to ensure that a change is brought about in the pay structure, in the amounts they get paid
While the grade A cricketers earn around Rs 2 crore annually, a Ranji player only earns a match fee of Rs 1.5 lakh for a first-class game. The amount is based on a payment system that was introduced in 2004.
"It's been last 2/3 years (that) I am (regularly) playing Ranji Trophy. I hate that I've found constant struggle around me in the financial situation of my first-class teammates. Even though Ranji Trophy is hosted by the richest cricket board in the world, I appeal to you as a player, who is an inspiration and role model for all Ranji players," Harbhajan wrote to Kumble.
"I request you to please take this up with the top brass of BCCI and players like Sachin, Rahul, Laxman, Viru to ensure that a change is brought about in the pay structure, in the amounts they get paid," PTI quoted from the letter.
"I am willing to help/assist in any way to help bring in a change. It's shocking, to say the least, that the payment system hasn't been changed since 2004. Imagine the value of 100 rupees then and now. It is so different."
Harbhajan suggested that domestic players should be put on a central contract so that they can play cricket without the burden of financial insecurity.
"Imagine in today's day and age how can you call yourself a professional if your 'job' doesn't even tell you how much you will earn yearly? How can you sign up and commit your life to a job which doesn't promise you a fixed income every
If I wouldn't have played domestic cricket during last four-five years, I wouldn't have known what an average domestic cricketer goes through.
"The guys can't even plan their future because they don't know whether they would earn Rs 1 lakh or Rs 10 lakh in that year and it leads to huge issues in their lives and families and (affects) state of mind. Anyway, let's try and gently make a change for our brothers."
A few domestic players have been able to secure a contract in the cash-rich Indian Premier League but it is a very small number when compared to the total number of players available in the pool. Harbhajan explained that had he not been a part of the Ranji Trophy, the plight of the players would have remained hidden from him.
"If I wouldn't have played domestic cricket during last four-five years, I wouldn't have known what an average domestic cricketer goes through. Not everyone has a job. By God's grace, if they get an IPL contract their lives improve," Harbhajan
"I have achieved enough because of cricket and I have been fortunate to play close to 400 international matches for India. I am not talking
"There will be hundreds of domestic cricketers who will not play for India or not get an IPL contract but they are also cricketers just like any top India cricketer. They also have families,