Senior Indian cricketers want the Cricket Board to have a "contract" system for greater security and a graded system of payment linked to seniority. This was stated by a member of the Board's finance committee and Mumbai Cricket Association joint secretary Ratnakar Shetty, who was asked by the BCCI to speak to the players regarding the contract system.

Shetty told PTI in Mumbai on Friday that this was just a suggestion which came from the players. A decision in this regard will be taken by the Board's finance committee only after going through all the aspects.

Meanwhile, Indian captain Sourav Ganguly, who had talks with Shetty, said in Bangalore that the contract was likely to take shape after three more rounds of meetings with the Board.

Shetty returned here from Bangalore last night after speaking at length to Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Anil Kumble, Javagal Srinath, besides Ganguly.

Asked whether such system will work in India, Shetty said "it has to be seen after it (system) comes into existence. But for this, the players will have to turn professionals and also their tax and legal problems have to be taken into consideration".

"When a player gets injured and is out of the team for months, he does not get paid enough though the Board bears his medical and travelling expenses," Shetty said. "Hence, the players want something like a contract system which will give them a sense of security."

However, the players have not demanded a specific amount but asked for graded payment according to seniority as except India and Pakistan, the system is in application in almost all cricket playing countries, he said.

Asked for his opinion on these suggestions, the former manager of the Indian team said that it would instil a sense of security among junior players who are knocking at the doors of the national side.

Asked how long the Board would take before coming to a conclusion, Shetty said if everything went well, the system could be applicable by the next season.

© PTI