Legendary spinner Bishan Singh Bedi says he’s not a big fan of Dhoni but feels no one has ever enjoyed so much of power and authority from the Indian cricket body
NEW DELHI: Former India cricketer Bishan Singh Bedi on Tuesday alleged bias in BCCI's remuneration policy and questioned skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni's cult status.
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Bedi said logic defies the difference in salary of some of the cricketers. "Can you compare Cheteshwar Pujara and Suresh Raina? If you can't compare, then how can Raina be in Group A of BCCI's central contract while Pujara is in Group B?" Bedi asked.
When asked if it was because Raina is close to BCCI President N Srinivasan, Bedi said, "that's it".
Bishan Singh Bedi. File Pic
Cricketers, who fall in Group A in BCCI's central contract get an annual retainership of Rs one crore while Group B players get Rs 50 lakh.
The legendary spinner was speaking at the launch of senior journalist Shantnu Guha Roy book, 'Mahi - story of India's most successful captain.'
Talking about Dhoni, he said,"I am not a big fan of Dhoni but I must surely say that no one has ever enjoyed so much of power and authority from the cricket body. I believe that not even the great tiger Pataudi or Sunil Gavaskar had ever enjoyed this kind of power."
Bedi also questioned Dhoni's off-field leadership skills. "As a leader, he's not accessible to his teammates. This has been said by his teammate, none other than, VVS Laxman," he said in reference to Laxman, at time of his retirement, going on record to say that it was difficult to reach Dhoni some times.
Bedi said that money at times takes away the fun from the game. "You tell me some people get a crore for not playing any matches a single match. In our times we use to get Rs 250 per Test match at Rs 50 per day. We beat New Zealand in four days and we were given Rs 200 because there was no play on fifth day," he said.
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