By CricketCountry Staff
Former India cricketers, who received the one-time cash benefit from the earnings secured from Indian Premier League (IPL) play-offs, have lauded the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) gesture.
Published: May 25, 2012, 04:36 PM (IST)
Edited: May 25, 2012, 04:36 PM (IST)
Ajit Wadekar (L) said “We are really thankful to the BCCI. I had spoken to Rajiv Shukla about this and he said it was the president Mr. Srinivasan (R) who took the initiative to pay the ex-cricketers” © Getty Images
By CricketCountry Staff
Mumbai: May 25, 2012
Former India cricketers, who received the one-time cash benefit from the earnings secured from Indian Premier League (IPL) play-offs, have lauded the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) gesture.
The cash benefit has been extended to over 160 former cricketers which include international and domestic players.
The IPL may have grabbed the headlines for the wrong reasons in recent memory, but there is one thing that has tugged the hearts of former cricketers.
Ajit Wadekar, the former India Test captain said, “We are really thankful to the BCCI. I had spoken to Rajiv Shukla about this and he said it was the president Mr. Srinivasan who took the initiative to pay the ex-cricketers.”
“We are glad that the BCCI is doing this,” he was quoted by www.bcci.tv
A member of the esteemed spin quartet, Srinivas Venkatraghavan said, “It’s a noble and a magnanimous gesture on the part of BCCI to recognize the work done by the previous generations, who in their playing time probably didn’t have the benefit of seeing this scenario.”
“BCCI has recognized the fact that the previous generation has done a lot for the country and this gesture is exceptional by the board,” he added.
Former India batsman-turned-television commentator Sanjay Manjrekar said, “First of all, I’d like to say thank you to the BCCI. I say thanks because this comes as an unexpected bonus.”
“Once I quit the game, I had no expectations from people. I played the game because I liked it and I never had this feeling that the BCCI owes me anything. I have always felt that I have got more in return for what I put in as a cricketer,” Manjrekar added.
While many ex-cricketers have criticised the IPL, Venkatraghavan expressed optimism about the T20 league.
He said, “IPL is a good thing for the cricket and the present generation of cricketers, and it has sustained the interest of everybody. It is being played at the time when people can relax and watch it in the evening.”
“Everything has a negative aspect in life, but I am sure the BCCI will come out with the proper solution to clear all the allegations on the IPL,” Venkatraghavan concluded.
