BCCI loosens purse strings

This week will spell a bonanza for India’s past and present Test cricketers, and this includes all those who have officiated as umpires...

This week will spell a bonanza for India’s past and present Test cricketers, and this includes all those who have officiated as umpires in Test matches as well.

In all 174 Test players and umpires will receive a monthly pension of Rs 5,000 for life, starting from the present month.

Overall the board would be spending in excess of Rs 1 crore each year towards the welfare of former and present Test cricketers as well as umpires. The cheques to these beneficiaries will be delivered on April 30.

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In one stroke, not even those who are impoverished but also the likes of megastars such as Sachin Tendulkar and Saurav Ganguly would be receiving Rs 5,000 a month from the board once they hang their boots.

The list, however, does not include cricketers who have represented India in one-day internationals alone, players like Reetinder Singh Sodhi or Ramesh Powar.

The list would also not include scores of Indian umpires who have officiated only in the one-day internationals.

Also barred from the list is former Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin. Azhar, who is in dispute with the board and has gone to court, has been blacklisted.

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The benefit purse of Azhar, running into a few crores, has been withheld by the board on the ground that the player has been banned for life for his alleged role in match-fixing.

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