Virender Sehwag thanks icons for benefits to players

New Delhi: Financially more secure than athletes in any other sport in India, the current generation of cricketers should be thankful to Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Anil Kumble for fighting for them, feels former batting star Virender Sehwag.

Referring to the trio’s fight for share in BCCI revenue for players back in 2001-02, sehwag said it went a long way in guaranteeing financial security that is enjoyed by the current crop of players.

The BCCI is on the cusp of having its own Players’ Association within the next few days but the seeds were first sown by Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Dravid and Kumble, who had formed a ‘Players’ Association’ demanding a share from the BCCI’s TV rights deal.

“We had to fight to get a share of revenue from BCCI but I don’t think there is any such precedence in any other sport. Had the likes of Tendulkar, Dravid and Kumble not fought for our rights, we wouldn’t have been where we are today,” Sehwag said. “If you see, there was no friction after that,” he added.

The context of his comment was the organisers of Indo International Premier Kabaddi League that is scheduled to begin May 13, committing 20 per cent of their revenue reserved for players. “If IPKL is sharing 20 percent revenue for players, it’s a good thing. Other sports can learn from this move,” said Sehwag.