CHENNAI: There is a hike in the air for those associated with domestic cricket. After having announced increments for India players and coaches, the BCCI is working on a pay revision for first-class cricketers, umpires, scorers and video analysts. The new package is likely to be implemented in the upcoming season.
Due mainly to the turmoil in the board since 2013, there had been no rise since 2012 for those involved with domestic cricket.
But following appeals from several quarters after the hike announced for India stars, acting office-bearers of the BCCI and members of the CoA have agreed to listen to them. Treasurer Anirudh Chowdhry is working on the revised model. “We can’t say how much at the moment, but work is in progress. The proposed revised package is expected to be tabled in two weeks. After that, the BCCI and CoA will have to approve it. Once that’s done, the rise will come into effect from this season. Players, umpires, scorers and video analysts all are under consideration,” a well-placed BCCI source told Express.
First-class players, who get Rs 10,000 per day, are likely to get a rise of 50 per cent, sources indicated. On top of daily pay, they will continue to get a share of the BCCI’s profits. From around Rs 12 lakh a year, regulars in the state sides can expect to earn Rs 20 lakh.
The rise will be more beneficial for non-players, who are not entitled to a share of the board’s profits. According to a proposal, fee for match referees should be raised to Rs 25,000 from Rs 15,000 per day. The same proposal recommends Rs 30,000 and Rs 25,000 daily for umpires. At present the top 10 from about a 100 BCCI-certified umpires get Rs 20,000 per day for any match conducted by the board. The rest get Rs 15,000. Scorers can expect Rs 10,000 per day from Rs 5,000.
“On an average, umpires get about 40 days a season, which roughly comes to Rs 6 lakh annually. Most of them are employed elsewhere and take leave to do this. If the revised pay assures a bigger sum, you can expect umpires to take up the job professionally. But it’s time we got a raise, since the previous one came five years ago,” said a BCCI umpire.
Scorers are welcoming the move, since their pay is not sufficient to make a living, while the job demands they take leave from employers. “At present, we get about 30 days a year on an average, which means we all have to look for other sources of income. The hike may not be enough, but one after a while nonetheless,” said a scorer.
atreyo@newindianexpress.com