Former India captain Shantha Rangaswamy praises BCCI for pension hike

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has been showered with praise after announcing a 100 per cent hike in pensions for former players (men and women) and umpires.

Former India Women's captain Shantha Rangaswamy, in her statement, lauded the board and secretary Jay Shah for the decision. In addition, she congratulated the BCCI for securing Rs 48,390.5 crore in the IPL media rights e-auctions.

"I thank the BCCI, especially secretary Jay Shah, for taking this huge step. It has happened because of his single-handed efforts towards taking care of the former players. This will benefit former players a lot. I would also like to congratulate him on a hugely successful IPL media rights auction," Rangaswamy added.

Apart from being a member of the Indian Cricketers Association (ICA), she is also a member of the BCCI Apex Council. She represented India from 1976 to 1991, playing 16 Tests and 19 ODIs.

Under her captaincy, Indian women won their first-ever Test match against West Indies in 1976 at Patna. She is also the first Indian women's cricketer to register a hundred in red-ball cricket.

As per the new policy, First-Class players will now get Rs 30,000 per month, while Test cricketers will receive INR 60,000 per month. Players in the existing INR 50,000 bracket will now get INR 70,000.

Women players who have represented India shall receive INR 52,500, while FC players who retired before 2003 will get INR 22,500.

Earlier, ICA president Ashok Malhotra also lauded Shah and BCCI. 

"I am more than grateful that the BCCI has accepted and put into action this long-standing request from us. I would like to especially thank Mr Jay Shah, the BCCI Honorary Secretary, for his efforts," 

Former players like Mohammed Kaif and Amit Mishra also took to social media to applaud the governing body's decision, which is bound to help several families during tough times.