Kohli, Dhoni to discuss pay hike with Rai

India skipper Virat Kohli along with his predecessor Mahendra Singh Dhoni and head coach Ravi Shastri is expected to meet the Committee of Administrators (CoA) chief Vinod Rai this week to discuss a possible pay hike for cricketers, according to sources.

Earlier this year, the Indian cricketers saw their annual basic deals doubled to $300,000 (approximately Rs 1.9 crore) but want more after the BCCI recently struck a mega deal with broadcaster Star India.

The BCCI will get $2.5 billion from Rupert Murdoch's Star India to show the Indian Premier League (IPL) from 2018 to 2022.

Moreover, the players' contracts have already expired on September 30 this year and the board is yet to announce the new contracts.

Besides the demand for pay hike, the trio is also expected to discuss the cramped schedule when they meet Rai ahead of the third Test against Sri Lanka at the Feroz Shah Kotla, starting December 2.

Kohli had recently complained about the cramped schedule and lack of preparation time ahead of a challenging tour to South Africa, starting December 28.

Rai has also backed Kohli's criticism of the scheduling of tours and the issue is expected to be discussed at the meeting.

India will finish their ongoing home series against Sri Lanka on December 24 with the third Twenty20 before leaving for South Africa four days later.

Kohli is to be rested for the one-day games against Sri Lanka.

The Indians will play a two-day warm-up match starting December 30 before taking on the Proteas in the first Test from January 5.

--IANS

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