Indian players had their way on the contentious contracts issue, forcing the Board of Control for Cricket in India to revert to the graded system, under which the top five players get a retainer of Rs 50 lakh each, annually.
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The graded system was abolished after the team's disastrous showing in the World Cup in the West Indies and replaced by a combination of match fees and bonuses. The Board had also capped players' endorsements.
Faced with stiff resistance from players like skipper Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Anil Kumble and Sourav Ganguly, the Board's Working Committee backed off and chose to revert to the system under which the top 15 players are graded A, B, and C.
The Working Committee, which met in Delhi on Tuesday, decided to have the graded system till September. 'B' and 'C' category players will get Rs 35 lakh and Rs 20 lakh each per annum. Dravid was also present at the meeting.