Anil Kumble writes to BCCI regarding extra pay for captains; Former captain Ajit Wadekar supports the move

Dubai: Though Team India coach Anil Kumble's few suggestions may have irked the BCCI officials, former India captain Ajit Wadekar believes that Kumble’s  suggestion of paying 25% more to the captain is a fair one.

India coach Anil Kumble, in his presentation letter to the Board of Control for Cricket in India(BCCI) , suggested that the captain to be paid 25% more than other team members because, he feels that the skipper carries extra responsibilities on his shoulders. 

Speaking over his mobile from Mumbai, Ajit Wadekar said, "I think it is a very good and fair suggestion and the BCCI should accept it". 

"The captain has to carry extra responsibilities like planning the match-strategies, arranging team meetings, guiding the team-mates and attending the media requests. His work is simply harder than the other ten members of the playing eleven and the reserve players,” he added.

"Besides this, he alone is also blamed for the team performance. If the team is losing, the captain is targeted more than the rest of the players. The captain puts extra efforts,  and should be rewarded more", added Ajit Wadekar, who captained India in 16 Tests (equally sharing the win and loss ratio of 4 Tests each).

However, two of India’s successful captains, Mohammad Azharuddin and Sourav Ganguly, preferred to remain silent on the subject.

Cricket Association of Bengal(CAB) chief, Sourav Ganguly, who is also a member of the selection panel that chose Kumble, said,  "I am too busy for a day in Australia here and will be leaving for England.  No comments now". He is in Australia for his sponsorship work, following which he will travel to England for the Champions Trophy.

Kumble's other suggestion, that of the coach being made the member of the selection committee, was also welcomed by Wadekar.

"The coach is closest to the team members and can best assist the selectors with his inputs. Though his views are deliberated by the selection committee, it is always better to make him a national selector".

" The other selectors reach at the match venue just a day or two before the match while the coach is constantly in touch with his players. Having a coach in the selection committee can be a welcome move", Wadekar concluded.