Players' demand for more reward causes stir

MiDu00a0DAY speaks to some 1983 stars on whether the 2011 team members deserve more than Rsu00a01 crore which the Indian Cricket Board announced as a reward for their World Cup triumph

Au00a0report in the Indian Express of some senior Indian players requesting for five crores, instead of the one crore given to them by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for lifting the World Cup, especially for non-marquee players such as Munaf Patel, has created a stir.

A senior Indian player said that players who don't enjoy commercial benefits deserved a better reward.

"If you see, only the top players benefit, and there is no doubt that we earn more than anybody, but what about players like Munaf Patel and others? These players make the Indian team and the BCCI earns so much because of them. We are not greedy for the money.

"But these (junior) players have made the BCCI rich and famous. There is no harm in asking for more especially since the Board will earn thousands of crores after India's victory. A player's life is uncertain. Who knows what will happen next?" said the senior player," said an established player.

The report also stressed that players were unhappy with all members of the support staff, barring Gary Kirsten and Paddy Upton, getting rewards of Rs 50 lakh each. "Gary (Kirsten) and Paddy (Upton) getting Rs 50 lakh is fine. But even the logistics manager getting Rs 50 lakh? By that yardstick, we should be getting more," said the player.


Indian team celebrate after winning the 2011 World Cup at Wankhede
Stadium in Mumbai earlier this month. PIC/Getty Images

Some of the 1983 World Cup winning players spoke to MiD DAY yesterday:

Madan Lal
I'm not sure if it was the right thing to do (request for more money). When we won the World Cup, there weren't any monetary rewards. The best gift we got was that Lata Mangeshkar sang for us. That was enough to make use feel special.

Roger Binny
Everybody should get the same amount. It's not apt if seniors feel that players such as Munaf Patel who don't get commercials should get a bigger reward. Also, the support staff should not get Rs 50 lakh each because they are already on a contract and are getting enough money. Players deserve the credit, not coaches.

Mohinder Amarnath
To be honest, it's not fair on my part to comment on this. The players deserve everything that is coming to them.

Dilip Vengsarkar
It's not fair to talk about this matter. The Board is in the right position to assess what is the right amount to be given to players for this victory.

Syed Kirmani
I think it's unfair to say that the support staff don't deserve credit, and with that a monetary reward from BCCI. They have worked really hard with the players, and let's remember it is the team that won the World Cup. Everyone deserves credit. Even the selection committee deserves a pat on the back. Everyone has chipped in together.