Former players to get richer

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The BCCI working committee took a few important decisions Saturday including that of allowing a team from Pakistan to participate in the Champions League T20 scheduled to be held in India in October.

The board president N. Srinivasan also confirmed that one-time benefit would be given to former domestic and Indian internationals from IPL surplus funds. Around 160 cricketers are eligible for this payment. The total payment is approximately Rs70 crores (see box). Former players are already receiving a monthly benefit from 2007-08.

The committee also ratified the earlier decision taken to grant the media rights to Star India Pvt. Ltd. for the period 2012-2018. In regard to Indian players participating in the forthcoming Sri Lankan Premier League, N. Srinivasan said: “When SLC approached BCCI last year, we had our reservations as the tournament was conducted by a private body and we were not in a position to provide our full support. As far as this season is concerned, we will take a call at an appropriate time”.

The setting up of a BCCI arm of the anti-corruption unit was also approved. All matches played in India, including all domestic cricket, will come under the ambit of the BCCI-ACU. A special committee will look into the suggestions made by the technical committee (headed by Sourav Ganguly) and will make final recommendations to the BCCI pertaining to the improvement of domestic cricket.

“The board will take into consideration all the points made by the captains and coaches in the recently held conclave. We are constantly looking at developing infrastructure at the domestic level,” Srinivasan noted. The board president also confirmed that the ongoing IPL-5 play-offs scheduled to be held in Chennai on May 25 and 27 will not be shifted to another venue as claimed by a section of the media.