Let us take the example of a Cricketer from India. In a nation of 1.4 Billion (!) people, imagine how tough it must be to get into a 15-member National Team. So when they finally make it, they deserve all the accolades and windfalls that come their way. Contrary to what some of my friends feel, I am very happy to see that Virat Kohli is making what he is making. He totally deserves it. He works out like a fanatic, is an unbelievable team player, has a lot of talent, manages his image quite well (E.g. Instagram), and has achieved a lot in his career. What he is reaping today is not random. It is due to years of blood, sweat and utter commitment. The 2022-2023 BCCI Central Contracts award “A+” category players a retainer of 7 Crore INR per year and this category has Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja. And BCCI insists that a Centrally Contracted player is committed only/primarily to Indian Cricket, which is the main reason Indian players do not get to play in BBL, Hundred Etc. BCCI does not allow it, which I think is fair.

If you look at what is happening in Pakistan, it is a total joke … Several centrally contracted players (by PCB) are roaming the World playing these meaningless and farcical “T20/T10 Leagues”. What that does is that when the nation, in this case Pakistan, needs the centrally contracted players for a particular tour or tournament, either they are unavailable because they are playing in Ugandan Premier League or they are fatigued from all the excessive Cricket they play. What Haris Rauf has done to PCB would never be allowed by BCCI, and rightly so. If he does not want to commit and play for Pakistan, make way for others and decline the Central Contract.

There are around 50 (yes, FIFTY!!!) T20/T10 leagues around the World! Even a (supposedly) premier tournament like 2023 ODI Cricket World Cup is unable to attract 100% attendance (That too, in Cricket-crazy India!). You can imagine the number of people who attend (in the stadium), watch (on TV or OTT) or follow (on Cricket websites) these 50-odd leagues. This begs the question, where are the funds for these leagues coming from? How can it be White money?

Do you know that there is an Abu Dhabi T10 League and a Legends League going on right now? In case you wonder who these “Legends” are: Pawan Negi, Robin Uthappa, S Badrinath, Thisara Perera, Parvinder Awana Etc. You get the picture 😊

Adios!