Need for performance related remuneration

INDIAN CRICKETERS may be making loads of money, but on paper, they continue to be amateurs.

Unlike in Australia, South Africa and England, where the players are graded and then given contracts for each season, the system of match fee continues here.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is yet to give a serious thought to this aspect, even though it has recently mooted the system of payments according to seniority. A performance-related remuneration system too is being considered, but seems to be still some way off.

How good is the Indian system in this regard? Does it give enough incentives and sense of security to the players?

Most first-class players have jobs, either in Government departments, banks or in the private sector. Though these jobs give enough in terms of sustenance to the average player, they are not enough for the better ones on the circuit. Moreover, there is a perceived threat that the number of jobs may recede in the coming years as the employers may not feel it worthwhile to have players on the rolls.

If the Board were to start a system by which the cream of the players would be on contract, may be even categorised, it would lend a more professional touch. The yearning to be there in the top 20 or so that could form the `A' grade, would push the players to do well.

Thus, not only would their international performances be seen, even the efforts at the domestic level could get a push. In such a scenario, the `stars' would be the ones performing and helping win matches.

Says former India wicketkeeper-batsman Surender Khanna, ``A contract system is definitely worth considering. Further, a gradation system would push the players to do well and move to the better categories, from `C' to `B' and `B' to `A'. More importantly, I feel it would give a chance for the captain and coach to assess the players better.''

Another former India wicketkeeper Vijay Yadav too agrees that a system like this could be worked out. ``There is nothing wrong in adopting systems which others are following successfully. If I were on the circuit, I would definitely have liked to be in the top bracket. It could work well if 20 or 30 players are put in the top category''.

The gap between the domestic and international levels has never been felt as much as now, and both Khanna and Yadav feel that this system could help bridge the gap in its own way.

``India being a big country, it is not possible to always follow the graphs of all players. But if such a system is adopted, one will have a better idea about who is pushing for a place in the Indian team. The players in the second grade would straight away come into National reckoning,'' feels Khanna, hero of the 1984 Asia Cup and a member of the 1979 Prudential World Cup.

On the other hand, Yadav feels that the gap between domestic and international cricket could be reduced. ``Players under such contracts, even if they have not played for India, will feel closer to being there. That could reduce the pressure on the players to an extent,'' he says.

About the remuneration according to seniority, Yadav feels it is warranted as it would push the players to play longer for India. ``But the difference should not be too much,'' suggests Yadav, a member of the team that triumphed in the 1993 Hero Cup.

The main reason for the contract system not being considered in India has been the number of jobs earmarked for cricket. The security aspect is taken care of this way and the money that comes from playing for India are bonuses for those who break into the side, and for those who hang on there, jobs are no more important.

Nationalised banks have, down the years, done the most for cricket. Who can forget the State Bank of India team of the 70s, which had players like Ajit Wadekar, Gundappa Visvanath, Syed Kirmani, Yashpal Sharma and Rajinder Goel in the ranks, among others ? Even now, banks employ quite a few players, more in the south, the system being that they are offered clerical posts with incentives and promoted as officers if they are in the Ranji Trophy team for five years. Playing for India (if they are academically qualified) catapults them to the managerial level.

Among the others to employ players have been the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), India Cements and ONGC, which has been recruiting players left, right and centre in the past few years.

The salaries in these organisations are enviable, as is the list of players on the ranks. But do the players do justice to their jobs ? Well, that is something that can be contended. Having only played cricket all their lives, some cricketers are unable to contribute outside the sports cell after their playing days.

``Job security helps in its own way. Not everyone can play at the top level for 10 or 15 years, so it is good to have a job,'' feels Khanna, who works in the sports section of SAIL at Delhi.

``Yes, the present system does have its own advantages, but one must remember that one is employed here for the game. In places like South Africa and Australia, players have their own professional qualifications. So, when they are playing for their country, they are professionals, and after retirement, they do their own things,'' says Yadav, who was working for Escorts till the firm decided to do away with the team a couple of years back.

Yadav is also of the firm view that cricketers should do their best for the organisations. ``The feeling that the players are not committed to their organisations should not creep in, as it could be detrimental to the whole fraternity. I have seen some instances where the players have made the most of a lenient management, only to see the latter go back into a shell,'' says Yadav.

C. RAJSHEKHAR RAO,

New Delhi

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