Mumbai: BCCI secretary Ajay Shirke said that the Lodha Panel has agreed to grant permission to BCCI to make full payments to all players and official/support staff related to the Ranji Trophy and other tournaments.
The approval was sent after the BCCI’s “reminder” seeking approval/clarification on giving funds to the Rajasthan Ranji Trophy squad and other men’s and women’s sides from the state participating in different national-level competitions.
Shirke said, “The Hon’ble Justice Lodha Committee has communicated today to the CEO of the BCCI (Rahul Johri) that payments to players and officials can be made directly to them as per the agreed existing terms. This is for all BCCI-organised tournaments.” He added, “We didn’t have problems for all state associations. They pay themselves (to their players). Because the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) is suspended, the problem was only for them.”
The reminder was sent on Wednesday by BCCI fearing that Rajasthan’s cricket season would have come to a premature halt for the Ranji Trophy side as well as other age-group teams would have also severely affected.
As per the statement earlier made by BCCI Secretary Ajay Shirke, without funds the various Rajasthan sides won’t be able to play the next round of matches in their respective tournaments.
The approval by the Lodha panel has given a sigh of relief to Rajasthan players and its cricket board, saving them from a difficult situation.
At the moment, the “financially crunched” Ranji team of Rajasthan is playing against Karnataka at Vizianagaram. Rajasthan is to play its next match against Delhi on 21st November in Kerala.