Every little helps

"I'm here for the gesture, not the bucks," boomed Ravi Shastri, at a function launching the Platinum Pension Scheme for former Indian Test cricketers and umpires. "It's bloody high time the board did something like this for their senior players. Many of the players gathered in this hall today were role models for people like myself. The BCCI is the wealthiest cricket board in the world and they can do a lot more than this."

It seems that the board's decision to grant 5000 rupees a month as pension did not quite set former cricketers universally uncorking the bubbly in celebration. But, before you could shake your head in dismay and accuse Shastri of being a greedy old goat, he clarified. "I think people who played their cricket before 1975 hardly got any money for it. And, the board should make sure there's a second round of benefit for them." When one journalist looked across to him asking for clarification, Shastri raised one finger, signalling that one lakh (100,000) rupees was the very least he thought was appropriate.

Amid the gathering of 29 former Test players and umpires, at the somewhat appropriately named Small Savings Hall of the Garware Club House adjoining the Wankhede Stadium, there were other former willow-wielders and leather-hurlers who thought Shastri was right on the money. "The Board can certainly do better. Those who played for India between the 1930s and 1960s got little or no money for it. The Board should certainly do better by them. All they need to do is add one logo on the clothes of the Indian team, and they can raise the money," said Mohinder Amarnath. "It doesn't really make sense that everyone gets the same amount. That is not fair. There needs to be a gradation in place."

Before you think this was just another case of former Indian cricketers being bitter and griping about the amount of money they did or did not make, there were plenty of people who accepted the pension with grace. "The pride and privilege of having played for India cannot be measured in money. We're all blessed to have worn the Indian cap," said Madhav Apte. Salim Durani made a late appearance, said only a few words of thanks, but clearly meant them, and was greeted by a round of applause from his peers.

Ashok Mankad, another man who has never uttered a shy word in his life, called the board's move "a gesture of appreciation paramount to maintaining the a relationship between the board and players". Madhav Mantri showed his age, striking a sobering note when he said, "Let us remember those men who played with us but are not here today and have passed away."

Nari Contractor thanked the board for its gesture, but quietly made a point. "I take it that this is only the beginning," he said. "Just like the Board has allocated a percentage of its earnings to pay national cricketers, and first-class cricketers, they should set aside a small amount for the former cricketers. You know, even 1% would make a huge difference."

Hanumant Singh threw his weight behind the cause, but added: "It's not for us former cricketers to say what quantum of money we should get. But I think Jimmy [Amarnath] has made a few points and the Board can take a look at them."

These were just the scenes in Mumbai; functions to launch the scheme were kicked off countrywide at the same time. You can be sure the points made across the length and breadth of the country wouldn't be very different. Like guests at a banquet, who have just sucked down a sumptuous bowl of soup, they may well ask, "Thanks very much, but where's the main course?"