Demand For Central Contracts For Domestic Players Intensified

Domestic Cricketers speak up for central contracts: Rajasthan Royals fast bowler and Saurashtra skipper Jaydev Unadkat recently spoke about the need for central contracts for state cricket. The BCCI is currently under works for a compensation package that could provide assistance to the domestic cricketers who have been affected by the pandemic.

In the previous month, former Indian batsman Rohan Gavaskar also emphasized on the importance to bring in contracts with a significant change in their match fees.

The likes of Jaydev Unadkat, Harpreet Singh Bhatia and Sheldon Jackson have also been quite vocal with the state association regarding the matter.

Although, there are a few uncapped players who are involved in the IPL, plenty of them rely just on the match fees of domestic tournaments. As the Ranji Trophy was cancelled last season due to the pandemic, the domestic cricketers were out of action, and remain unpaid.

Jaydev Unadkat spoke about the urgency to introduce contracts for the top 30 cricketers of the state.

Jaydev Unadkat urges BCCI for central contracts

“Talks over central contracts were happening even before the pandemic. Even cricketers at the age group level should be compensated for the lack of cricket, it will keep them motivated and then hand contracts to senior players.

“You can’t give contracts to all but you can pick top-30 players for contracts. A pool of 30 players sounds feasible to me,” Unadkat was quoted saying.

Jaydev Unadkat had an impressive Ranji Trophy the last time around, as he claimed the title as captain of Saurashtra.

Chattisgarh captain Harpreet Singh Bhatia talked about his time of moving to the UK to feature in club cricket, as domestic cricket in India took a hit.

“I played all of 10 white ball games in the last season. It wasn’t enough clearly. I had to come to the UK to make extra money. Since I don’t have a job back in India, I come to England anyway to supplement my income.

“If I had a central contract back home, it wouldn’t be a compulsion for me to play in the UK. The BCCI has been supportive in the past and I expect it will support us in these tough times with a good compensation package and hopefully contracts from the state associations,”

Men and Women cricketers to get better contracts?

Sheldon Jackson also weighed in on the issue by talking about the importance of central contracts for men as well as women cricketers.

“Contracts should be put in place by state associations. With that, they are showing they can take care of their cricketers especially in times like these. You don’t know how long COVID will last.

“At least the players will have security that they can take care of the families in such times and pay their bills.

“And why just for men’s cricket. Women cricketers should also be given contracts. They have even lesser job opportunities compared to men cricketers,” said Jackson.

During a full season, a domestic cricketer earns up to Rs 15 lakh. However, the BCCI treasurer Arun Dhamal has stated that the governing body is looking for a solution that serves for the best interest of players.

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