ICA Welcomes BCCI's Move To Increase Monthly Pension Of Former Indian Players

The Indian Cricketers Association (ICA) on Tuesday expressed their immense gratitude towards the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for increasing the monthly pension of former Indian players (men and women) and retired umpires.

On Monday (June 13), a day when the BCCI closed in on a six billion dollar media rights deal for the next cycle of the Indian Premier League (IPL), the richest sporting body in India announced to hike the pension for its former players.

I’m pleased to announce an increase in the monthly pension of former cricketers: BCCI secretary Jay Shah

The first-class players, who used to get INR 15,000 will now get INR 30,000 and former Test players will get INR 60,000 instead of INR 37,500. Those players who used to receive a pension of INR 50,000 will be getting INR 70,000 in their bank accounts.

The retired women international players, who used to receive INR 30,000 will be getting INR 52,500 while the first-class players who retired before 2003 will get INR 45,000 instead of INR 22,500.

“I’m pleased to announce an increase in the monthly pension of former cricketers (men & women) and match officials. Around 900 personnel will avail of this benefit and close to 75% of personnel will be beneficiaries of a 100 PC raise,” BCCI secretary Jay Shah tweeted on Monday. 

I am more than grateful that the BCCI: ICA president Ashok Malhotra

The ICA highlighted the rising inflation in India and how many of its members will benefit from BCCI’s announcement.

“The announcement by the BCCI yesterday has been very well received by our members, many of whom have benefitted with this move in these days of rising prices and falling interest income, all of which has become a world-wide phenomenon,” ICA stated in a media release.

ICA president Ashok Malhotra, who played seven Tests and 20 One-Day Internationals for India apart from playing 156 first-class matches, said the BCCI finally listened to their concerns.

“I am more than grateful that the BCCI has accepted and put into action this long-standing request from us. I would like to especially thank Mr Jay Shah, the BCCI Honorary Secretary for his efforts,” Malhotra said.

Former Indian players like Mohammad Kaif and Amit Mishra also welcomed the Indian cricket board’s decision that will benefit many former players and their families.

Also Read: The Indian Premier League Earns More Money Than The English Premier League – BCCI President Sourav Ganguly