Vinod Kambli receives a lower pension than Yuvraj Singh because both players are in different categories according to BCCI payment plans. Kambli played fewer Test matches than Yuvraj Singh and doesn’t get to receive a high pension as his compatriot.
How Much Does Vinod Kambli Receive as Pension?
Vinod Kambli receives about ₹ 30,000 per month, as he featured in over 100 First-Class matches during his professional career.
How Much Does Yuvraj Singh Receive as Pension?
Yuvraj Singh gets ₹ 60,000 monthly as a pension from the BCCI. Singh played in over 25 Test matches for India and gets to receive twice the pension of his compatriot Kambli.
Why is Yuvraj Singh’s Pension Higher than Vinod Kambli’s?
The BCCI pension rule clearly states that players who have taken part in fewer than 25 Test matches will get ₹ 30,000 monthly as a pension. Only players who have appeared in 25 or more Test games will get a higher pension starting at ₹ 60,000 from June 2022.
Why Did Kambli Not Play More Test Matches?
Vinod Kambli’s Test career was a horrid adventure as he could only feature in 10 games throughout his career. He failed to make an impression on the big stage, and collapsed under pressure on several occasions.
Kambli’s poor form led to the rise of Rahul Dravid’s stellar career. Dravid took up his batting role with great prowess, forcing out players like Kambli from India’s pecking order. The consistent performances of Dravid led to the end of Kambli’s uneventful Test career.
Failing to make an impression in Test cricket almost three decades ago has come back to haunt Kambli’s finances significantly. Featuring in 25 Test matches would have earned him up to 2x his current pension.
BCCI Recently Increased Monthly Pensions of Former Cricketers and Match Officials
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced a significant hike in monthly pensions of former male and female international cricketers in June 2022. The increase means first class players who got ₹ 15,000 monthly now get ₹ 30,000 per month.
Former Test players who got ₹ 37,500 monthly now receive ₹ 60,000 per month for their participation in internationals. Ex-players who got ₹ 50,000 now get up to ₹ 70,000 monthly.
Female cricketers also saw pension hikes of over 60% for internationals with a jump from ₹ 30,000 to ₹ 52,500 per month. First-class players who retired from active cricket before 2003 now receive ₹ 45,000, a 100% increase from the ₹ 22,500 female internationals received before this announcement.
Financial well-being of former cricketers “extremely important” – Sourav Ganguly
BCCI exec Sourav Ganguly commented on the hike in pensions to former cricketers, citing the importance of such a gesture to India’s sporting heroes:
“It is extremely important that the financial well-being of our former cricketers is taken care of. The players remain the lifeline and as a board, it is our duty to be by their side once their playing days are over. The umpires have been unsung heroes and the BCCI truly values their contribution.”
ICA lauded BCCI pension hike
The Indian Cricketers’ Association (ICA) expressed their approval of the pension hike by BCCI execs shortly after the increase came into effect:
“The [pension hike] announcement by the BCCI has been very well received by our members, many of whom have benefitted with this move in these days of rising prices and falling interest income, all of which has become a world-wide phenomenon,” a statement from the body read.
Another development lauded by the ICA was a 100% increase in healthcare reimbursements to First-Class cricketers:
“That this 75% to 100% rise in pension comes on the back of the increase in medical reimbursement from ₹ 5 lakh to ₹ 10 lakh for those who have played 10 and more First-Class matches makes it even more welcome.”
Which Cricketers are Set to Receive a Pension from 2024?
About seven (7) popular Indian cricketers either partially or fully-retired from the game in 2024. Players like Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, and Rohit Sharma retired from T20Is after their World Cup triumph. However, other star players are set to receive a pension after leaving all cricket formats in 2024:
Shikhar Dhawan
Former Team India star Shikhar Dhawan retired from all cricket formats after the IPL 2024 season. He is set to receive a pension like other ex-players after featuring in many internationals during his career.
Dinesh Karthik
Veteran Team India all-rounder Dinesh Karthik last appeared in an international two years ago. He announced his retirement from cricket after featuring in IPL 2024.
Ravichandran Ashwin
Former Test bowler and record wicket-taker Ravi Ashwin announced his shock retirement amid India’s red-ball series vs Australia in December 2024.
Kedar Jadhav
Jadhav is set to receive a pension after announcing his retirement from international and franchise cricket in June 2024.
