Kohli & Co’s request to COA for pay hike will need GB approval

TIL Desk Sports/ India captain Virat Kohli and former skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni are set to request COA chief Vinod Rai for a substantial hike in the central contracts but it may be easier said than done as it is going to require the approval of the general body of BCCI.

The Indian cricketers’ central contracts saw a two-fold rise with top players in group A earning Rs 2 crore annually. Earlier, they were drawing Rs 1 crore. Despite the cent percent hike in annual contracts, the players were apparently still not happy and erstwhile coach Anil Kumble had given a presentation to the Committee of Administrators about raising it to Rs 5 crore for Grade A cricketers.

The COA, in its third Status Report submitted to the Supreme Court on April 6, had stated about the proposed recommendations on restructuring of central contracts.

“Unlike reports that players want share from the IPL broadcast revenue, they have never ever said anything like that. Yes, they have spoken about a respectable rise. The COA also understands that their payment structure needs revision,” a senior BCCI office bearer, who has been in touch with skipper Kohli, told.