Despite T20 World Cup Win, Indian Blind Cricketers Have To Pay For A Place In State Team

The Indian cricket team won many accolades after winning the 2017 World T20 for the blind in February. In a spirited showing in the summit clash, India defeated arch-rivals Pakistan by nine wickets to clinch the World title in Bangalore. In their second consecutive T20 World Cup title win, the Indian team put up a brilliant performance with eight victories in nine games. Such was their performance that it drew plaudits from every corner of the country. From cricket bigwigs to famed celebrities, India's team for the blind won everyone over. But, just 10 months later, their feats and the laurels they brought to the country have already been forgotten. Not just that, they are now being asked to pay for a place in the state teams! In a stunning revelation by Mid-Day, India's World Cup-winning blind cricketers have been asked to part with 30 per cent of their prize money for a place in the state side for the national cricket tournament for the blind. © BCCL More stunning is the fact that players who don't contribute their hard-earned rupees are in danger of not getting picked for their respective state teams. Indian cricketer Anish Baig has revealed that he is not part of the Maharashtra team playing the national cricket tournament because he did not contribute 20 per cent of his T20 World Cup prize money and other earnings to the Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) and another 10 per cent to the Cricket Association for the Blind in Maharashtra (CABM). "I want to play for Maharashtra and of course for India again, but since I had not paid a total of 30 per cent of my prize money and earnings to the associations, I was not included in the Maharashtra team for this event," Mumbai-based Baig was quoted as saying by the Mid-Day. Baig also revealed that India's all-rounder Ketan Patel also missed out on a spot in the Gujarat team for the Nationals due to a similar reason. Barring Baig and Patel, all members of the T20 World Cup-winning side have contributed to their respective associations and are playing in the tournament held across Mumbai. © BCCL "The Boards have given us a platform to play cricket by raising money and we too contribute to the Board. I have contributed Rs 1.5 lakh from my earnings to CABI and Rs 1 lakh to the Cricket Association for the Blind in Andhra Pradesh," Indian captain Ajay Reddy said. Reacting to the allegations, CABM secretary Ramakant Satam revealed: "After the World Cup triumph, we helped him (Baig) get Rs 15 to Rs 20 lakh, but later on, he was not in contact with us. Even though there is a regulation that a player has to give 10 per cent (of his prize money) to the state association and 20 per cent to the national body, we told him not to give a single rupee to us, but continue to play cricket." While Satam highlighted the mandate for players to share some of their prize money and earnings to the associations, CABI president GK Mahantesh claimed it was up to the players. "The players had a meeting and decided to contribute to their state as well as the national association. © BCCL I have to check, but I think except Anish and Ketan all others from the World Cup-winning team put in some amount. Both (Baig and Patel) have some issues with their state associations. They are very good players and I am happy to talk to both players and resolve the matter," Mahantesh said. Whether the players are obliged to share their prize money with the associations or not, the latest controversy has once again highlighted the plight of Indian players who continue to suffer at the hands of red-tapisim and corruption across state bodies in the country.