• This is in the middle of what seems like a rare break for Indian cricketers. It’s been a very busy time for cricketers over the last few years.
Yes, it has. But it’s a welcome break and it’s nice to be enjoying some time with the family. We have now got into the serious part of cricket, the fitness camp has just finished and we are looking forward to the coming season.
• In the old days, there would be a season when you played. It’s almost become like a full-time job now.
Oh, it is. It’s all the year round now. It’s important that we keep fit.
• It’s also brought in these insecurities. It’s a profession and people worry about being fit because this is the only source of livelihood.
It is. It’s a very short career. People don’t realise what goes behind a cricketer’s life. People switch on the television, watch a match; after two days, they switch on the television and watch another match. They don’t realise what happens between those two matches, the preparation a team undergoes to get into the international scene. With the kind of competition that we have, it’s very tough. And I think security is definitely a main concern, which, of course, is being addressed now by the Board. I am very happy that we are close to finalising the contract system and, hopefully, we should all be signing it before the Asia Cup.
• You had some close brushes with injury. Did you ever think ‘‘this is it’’?
Not really. But I was concerned when my shoulder was hurt. It was really tough to recuperate. But I think that’s when the family — my wife especially — gave me a lot of support. That’s what helped me recover and come back stronger.
• But that insecurity — you have faced it, Harbhajan has, Srinath, Sachin — has that spurred you into thinking that you all need a more secure arrangement now?
Oh yes, it is definitely important for every cricketer to feel more secure. Financially as well as... to be part of the team, to not just play as a cricketer but to be part of the association. It’s important for every cricketer, and I am really happy that things are about to happen in terms of the contract system.
• I believe that’s what you have been focussing on a great deal. I believe you are the computer whiz who has looked at one billion permutations and combinations, almost like when you are bowling to Ricky Ponting.
No, when I had the break because of the shoulder injury, that’s when we contemplated the contract system. I had a bit of time to do my homework and try and come up with something that was, hopefully, acceptable to everyone. It’s taken three long years to come to this stage. And I think we have ironed out most of the things that are in the contract.
• After it’s taken you so much work and time — with some amount of give and take with the Board — what difference will the contract make? How will it make a top cricketer’s life more easy or secure?
It’s just that there is a lot more monitoring and everybody knows what kind of salary you are going to get and what kind of money will come in every year. I think that’s important, because then you can plan accordingly. Obviously, there are selection issues and fitness issues regarding the contract. It’s basically a monitoring of the players and...
• What do you mean by monitoring of the players? I am a bit lost...
In terms of their fitness, you can keep track of what’s happening with the players and how they are going to come back after an injury. Off-season monitoring is also important. Also, it helps a player feel secure when you are offered a one-year contract, because you feel you are in the scheme of things for one year in terms of getting picked and playing.
• So you get paid for one year whether or not you get picked?
Yes, that’s the basic contract sum which you get paid. It’s based on your value, not on your seniority. It’s the value that you bring into the team. There’s a committee that’s formed...
• Is the committee made up of just Board members or the players or...
No, no. There’s the captain, the coach and the Board.
• What will happen in situations when a cricketer enters into a contract, then takes it easy and doesn’t keep fit for a year and...
He loses his contract.
• Who keeps track?
The fitness trainer. He keeps track of all the things.
• And performance?
Of course. That’s the basic criterion to be picked. Even today, if you have to be picked in the Indian team, performance is the criterion. Certainly, that will be the most important thing when someone is picked.
• Tell me, what was the biggest resistance faced, stumbling blocks or questions raised when you were working on the contract?
There were no questions raised. But it was important that everybody understood the concept because this exists in every other part of the world and all cricketing nations except possibly Pakistan and India — and probably Bangladesh. Every other nation has this contract system and it’s just a matter of implementing it.
• This way, at least a player knows how much he is going to get every year and he can plan his finances, his home and his commitments...
Certainly.
• Let’s take young Irfan Pathan for example. He’s bought a new house, he’s made financial commitments, and he’s just 18 or 19. Now, God forbid, he doesn’t get picked for a year, he gets injured or something and... his life would be a lot more unpredictable if this wasn’t there.
Oh yes, everybody wants security and this is probably the best way.