Which four India legends played a pivotal part in BCCI Central Contract Implementation?

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) awards central contracts to its top cricketers, offering annual guaranteed retainers categorized into A+, A, B, and C grades.

These are determined by performance across formats, seniority, and availability for national duties, with around 30-35 players securing them each season. The system, reviewed annually by the BCCI's Apex Council and national selectors, ensures financial stability amid the high-stakes demands of international cricket.

But the central contract came into act in 2004, after a long push from some of the legends of Indian cricket. Earlier, the players used to only receive match fees from BCCI, which meant a player not in the first team would have no concrete income over the course

of a year.

Even a player within the team suffering an injury would have meant the end of his earnings for the entire recovery period. This financial insecurity led to a fear of commitments from the players, who had almost no backup from the board in terms of monetary compensation. But the senior Indian players, after the 2003 World Cup, stormed for the change.

Who were the main instigators for BCCI Central Contract?

The push for the BCCI's central contract system was spearheaded by four senior Indian cricketers: Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly (then captain), Rahul Dravid, and Anil Kumble.

These players actively discussed the issue with BCCI officials during the Challenger Trophy tournament in Bangalore in 2003, highlighting concerns over financial insecurity, injury risks, and unequal pay for reserves versus the playing XI. Their advocacy, after years of discontent among the team, played a key role in finalizing the policy, which was implemented in 2004.

The initiative addressed grievances like players fearing dives or catches due to potential injury-related income loss, as seen in cases like Javagal Srinath in 1997 and Anil Kumble in 2001. The seniors also sought clarity on revenue sharing, pushing for 26% of BCCI income allocation to players (13% to the national team, with shares for first-class and junior cricketers). Initially, the plan was to introduce four categories - but a three-member body kept it to three.