Mumbai: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has mentioned that there will be no pay cut for the Indian cricketers despite the ongoing global pandemic. Meanwhile, all the global sporting events have either been postponed or canceled due to coronavirus fear.
(BCCI) treasurer Arun Dhumal on Friday (May 15) confirmed that for now, the board is not considering to cut players fees despite facing financial loss amid suspension of cricketing activities including the Indian Premier League (IPL) due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Dhumal also added that players pay cut would be the last thing to do in this situation.
“We are not discussing a pay cut as of now. We are hoping that despite the financial crisis we will be able to tide over it.”
“But yes IPL would be a big revenue loss to BCCI, when a situation comes then we will think about it but that would be the last thing. In that case, we would resort to in terms of players fee cut at all. Ideally, we somehow want to manage it without going for that cutting option,” Dhumal was quoted as saying by ANI.
However, BCCI will apply cost-cutting methods wherever possible and look for more revenue schemes to fight for the loss happened due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Whatever cost we can curtail or whatever saving we can, we are working on that. That is an ongoing process and that started before the pandemic only,” Dhumal said
“We are working on that. Even this revenue loss we are going to come across, we will go for further major and curtail our cost and look at few more revenue schemes,” he added.
The richest cricketing body in world cricket may also resolve to cut down the expenses of its employees, as one of the measures, to overcome the economic loss.
“As of now, there is nothing on the players’ side. But on employees or officials, we are thinking wherever we can cut down the cost we are working on that. Wherever there is a possibility of cutting cost be it pertaining to travel, be it accommodation, be it pertaining to employees cost all those things will be looked at,” he said.
Speaking about BCCI’s post lockdown plans, Dhumal said: “Definitely, we are working on that aspect. As of now, given the lockdown condition whatever the coaching and support staff can do they are doing it so that their physical activities remain to strengthen.”
“As soon as possible, if there is some relaxation with regard to the lockdown norms, we will figure out what to do. If travel restrictions are not there and if players can come to one place, we will do that.”
“If that is not possible then depending on whatever travel restrictions are taken, skill-based training could be provided at local stadiums. We will look at those options as well,” he added.
As for India, it is in its third phase of lockdown which ends on May 17 and the number of positive coronavirus cases has crossed the 80,000-mark.
The Men In Blue’s ODI bilateral series against South Africa has been rescheduled at a later date. Prior to that series, Team India had last played against New Zealand in an away series where they faced defeats in ODI and Test series after having whitewashed the Kiwis in T20Is.
