New deal on way for top Indian players

Anil Kumble will canvas opinion among the players

The Board of Control for Cricket in India has begun talks with a view to setting up a 'central contracts' system for players in the national team.

Board representative Ratnkara Shetty has held a preliminary meeting with captain Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Javagal Srinath and Anil Kumble.

Indian players currently receive 180,000 rupees (£2,680) per Test, and 155,000 (£2,308) for each one-day international they play.

Many also have jobs outside, cricket, however, and so cannot be strictly regarded as porfessionals.

But the BCCI is considering the introduction of one-year contracts for 25 players, with payments graded according to the number of international games they have played.

"There will be a series of meetings. If evolved, it will come into effect probably for next season - October onwards," said Shetty.

"The players felt that, apart from India and Pakistan, all other teams were on contract," he added.

Keeper forced to quit

Kumble is currently out of action following shoulder surgery and he has agreed to gather further feedback from players during the forthcoming tour to Zimbabwe.

Wicket-keeper Saba Karim has, meanwhile, retired from first-class cricket after being hit in the right eye by a ball from Kumble during a game against Bangladesh 12 months ago.

The 33-year-old, who played 34 one-day internationals, made his one and only Test appearance last November, also against Bangladesh.

But he had a poor game and believes his impaired vision was the cause.

"I will only play for my office and club matches from now on," he said.

"The doctors saved my vision but there has not been much improvement. It is a ball game where your eye-sight has to be very sharp."