For the first time in its history, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has formally recognized the Indian Cricketers’ Association (ICA), a 'non-profit company' as the official association for ex-cricketers in India. The ICA, according to the BCCI is aimed at conserving and advancing the welfare of former players.
Before the decision, India and Pakistan were the only major countries to not have had a recognized players' body. But the key difference between ICA and the player bodies of other major countries is that the former will only be limited to former players - both men and women - as compared to the latter where current players are also represented. The ICA is also not yet affiliated to the Federation of International Cricketers' Association (FICA).
Currently, the ICA is being served by 3 directors: former India captain Kapil Dev, former India fast bowler Ajit Agarkar and former India women's captain Shanta Rangaswamy. The trio is likely to continue in their respective capacities till elections are held for the respective posts in October later this year.
The ICA is the result of Lodha reforms which had asked for the incorporation of a players' association in order to advance the welfare of cricketers. The recommendations related to ICA were part of BCCI's constitution which came into effect in August 2018.
The current membership criteria for the Association is as follows:
(1) Male and female ex-cricketers, who have played at least 1 International Cricket Match
in any format of the game at the senior level;
(2) Male ex-cricketers, who have played at least 10 First-Class Matches in any format of
the game at the senior level;
(3) Female ex-cricketers, who have played at least 5 First-Class Matches in any format
of the game at the senior level; and
(4) Differently-abled ex-cricketers, who have played either International Cricket or first-class cricket, where such cricket is recognized as such by the ICC or the BCCI and is organized by the BCCI or a body recognized by the ICC or the BCCI, in any format of the game at the senior level.
For the first time in its history, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has formally recognized the Indian Cricketers’ Association (ICA), a 'non-profit company' as the official association for ex-cricketers in India. The ICA, according to the BCCI is aimed at conserving and advancing the welfare of former players.
Before the decision, India and Pakistan were the only major countries to not have had a recognized players' body. But the key difference between ICA and the player bodies of other major countries is that the former will only be limited to former players - both men and women - as compared to the latter where current players are also represented. The ICA is also not yet affiliated to the Federation of International Cricketers' Association (FICA).
Currently, the ICA is being served by 3 directors: former India captain Kapil Dev, former India fast bowler Ajit Agarkar and former India women's captain Shanta Rangaswamy. The trio is likely to continue in their respective capacities till elections are held for the respective posts in October later this year.
The ICA is the result of Lodha reforms which had asked for the incorporation of a players' association in order to advance the welfare of cricketers. The recommendations related to ICA were part of BCCI's constitution which came into effect in August 2018.
The current membership criteria for the Association is as follows:
(1) Male and female ex-cricketers, who have played at least 1 International Cricket Match
in any format of the game at the senior level;
(2) Male ex-cricketers, who have played at least 10 First-Class Matches in any format of
the game at the senior level;
(3) Female ex-cricketers, who have played at least 5 First-Class Matches in any format
of the game at the senior level; and
(4) Differently-abled ex-cricketers, who have played either International Cricket or first-class cricket, where such cricket is recognized as such by the ICC or the BCCI and is organized by the BCCI or a body recognized by the ICC or the BCCI, in any format of the game at the senior level.
