V S Patel highlights struggles of former Ranji cricketers, seeks better support

V S Patel, the 74-year-old former Andhra Ranji cricketer, voiced concerns over the lack of support for former players. He urged the BCCI to remove the cap on Ranji game numbers for player benefits and advocated equal treatment for all cricketers

Hyderabad: For someone who played the game with sheer passion, like many of his contemporaries, the 74-year-old former Andhra Ranji all-rounder V S Patel’s concern is understandable for those who are struggling in the twilight years of their life, seeking support on different fronts.

For the record, Patel held many positions in the Andhra Cricket Association and is more of a Hyderabadi, having settled here decades ago due to a bank job.

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“Unfortunately, the powers-that-be seem to overlook the grim battle faced by many of the old-timers who played the game in the Ranji Trophy knock-out format until 1955. Many teams like Andhra would often get knocked out by the big guns of the South Zone, and many players ended up playing no more than 7 to 10 matches over a decade,” Patel explained in a chat with ‘Telangana Today’.

“So, in this context, when the Indian Cricketers Association, formed in 2019 ostensibly for the welfare of cricketers, and the BCCI insist on a cap of a minimum of 10 Ranji games for any former player to benefit, it really hits them hard,” Patel said.

“It is, in a way, just insulting. The BCCI must have a more sympathetic approach to former players who are not even in a position to take care of their basic family needs because they do not get any kind of pension like other cricketers do,” he said. “Denying major benefits that many modern-day cricketers get because of this ‘cap’ on the number of matches is really sad,” he added.

“I think many in the current generation of cricketers or officials are aware that the match fee, even until the ‘80s, was very nominal (below Rs 100 per day). So, I believe that irrespective of the number of matches played, all former Ranji cricketers should be treated equally,” Patel said.

“It is disturbing that some former cricketers who are apparently well-off are objecting to removing this ‘cap.’ And I wonder whether any other sports federation has such a cap on former players,” he said. “Honestly, why are those aged above 70 years denied opportunities to serve the game, especially in sports?” he added.

“Exactly for this reason, to highlight the plight of former Ranji cricketers, we even formed the Former Players Association for their benefit. One of the best ways to make the right beginning is to allow these former Ranji cricketers the right to vote in the State Cricket Association’s elections,” Patel said, recalling a Supreme Court ruling suggesting that former players should be treated as stakeholders in any association.

“Yes, we are grateful to ACA for giving us Rs 10 lakh per annum as a welfare fund and, more importantly, giving Rs 25,000 towards funeral expenses to the bereaved family members. This is the first such gesture by any association across India,” Patel said.