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Days after CricBlogger reported about the need for a lifelong pension scheme for former domestic cricketers who played between 6 and 24 Ranji Trophy games, Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) announced a significant initiative. Starting July 1, DDCA will provide monthly pensions of Rs 25,000 to such players and also to former First-Class umpires from Delhi.
Additionally, the association plans to offer health coverage ranging from Rs 5 to 10 lakh to retired Delhi First-Class cricketers. DDCA president Rohan Jaitley highlighted the importance of this initiative in promoting the Ranji Trophy and supporting former players. “We are glad to roll out something like this for our former cricketers and match officials,” Rohan said.
Arun Bharadwaj, a former Delhi cricketer and umpire, praised the move and recalled the efforts of former DDCA boss Arun Jaitley, who initiated financial support for umpires. “That time they offered us Rs 7,000 per month. It was a very honest effort from Mr Jaitley to honour the contribution of the First-Class umpires from Delhi,” Bharadwaj said.
Unofficially, DDCA has also assisted cricketers with medical needs, such as when they paid over Rs 15 lakh for the hospitalisation of former Indian captain Bishen Singh Bedi. This ongoing support emphasises DDCA’s commitment to its players. “There is always a window open for those need medical assistance. DDCA has always stood by its cricketers,” former Indian cricketer and a member of DDCA’s cricket advisory committee Surinder Khanna said.
The recent announcement of Rs 125 crore prize money for the T20 World Cup winning team has sparked discussions on the need for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and state associations to support cricketers who played less than 25 Ranji Trophy games and are not financially well-off, as highlighted by former Indian cricketer Sandip Patil’s plea for medical expenses for former Indian player Anshuman Gaekwad.
