BCCI says no hierarchy with regard to the player, plans ‘upgrade’ for women and junior teams

The Committee of Administrators (COA) is expected to clear a trendsetting proposal, at its meeting on Friday. In a major upgrade, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to clear a proposal to allow all teams (junior, fringe and women players) to fly business class. At present, only the senior men’s team, top BCCI bosses and high-profile employees are entitled to fly business class. The COA feels there should be no hierarchy with regard to the players, and the junior, fringe and women players should enjoy the same benefits as Virat Kohli and his team.

In the past, many high-profile India players have expressed their annoyance at having to fly economy class to far-off destinations like the West Indies and Australia for ‘A’ tours. This would be a welcome change in setting an example of equality for all.

A source said that the board feels “If office staff and office-bearers can fly business class, and if the board could afford to take a member each from all state associations (over 40 people) to the United States last year to watch the India vs West Indies game in Florida, why should these players be discriminated against? After all, they too represent India and should get the same benefits as others”.

The first ones to avail the benefit of this upgrade may be the India A team which leaves for the Emerging Cup in Dhaka on March 23. The women’s team will have to wait till June when the ICC Women’s World Cup qualifier starts in the United Kingdom from June 26. The Under-19 team, coached by Rahul Dravid, is also set to travel to England for a bilateral series in June.