The BCCI’s benevolence had some grey areas though. Balwinder Singh Sandhu, who was part of Kapil Dev’s 1983 World Cup-winning squad, said the Board deserves kudos, but stressed that players of the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s deserved more. “Players of that era kept the game alive at a time when there were few Test matches.

Those players must be remembered and rewarded better,” said Sandhu, who will earn Rs 35 lakh. He played eight Tests —all in 1983. “Players who played before me should get more. This is my objection and suggestion,” he added. The erstwhile swing bowler was disappointed to learn that the wives of deceased players would not be benefiting from, what the Board calls, “one-time benefit payment.”

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On the same issue, Nandini, the wife of late batting star Dilip Sardesai, said: “It is constitutionally incorrect as it goes against gender parity. The wives of players, who played in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s are more needy than the retired players, who have other avenues like coaching and commentary.

Overall, the BCCI should be complimented for sharing the IPL revenues, but they must think of the wives of players, who are no more, but whose contribution is the foundation on which the edifice of modern cricket stands.”

WHO GETS WHAT…
>>Cricketers who have played more than 100 Test matches: Rs 1.5 crore
>>u00a0Between 75 and 99 Tests: Rs one crore
>>u00a0Between 50 and 74 Tests: Rs 75 lakh
>>u00a0Between 25 and 49 Tests: Rs 60 lakh
>>u00a0Between 10 and 24 Tests: Rs 50 lakh
>>u00a0Between one and nine Tests and who have played their last international match before 1970: Rs 35 lakh
>>u00a0100 and more first-class matches: Rs 30 lakh
>>u00a0Between 75 and 99 first-class matches: Rs 25 lakh