Endorsements and graded-payments remain the focus

A cap on endorsements and the proposed abolition of graded payments are set to be the major points discussed when four senior Indian cricketers meet on Monday with the three-member committee of the Indian board to sort out the player contract issue that has been unresolved for close to eight months.

Indian captain Rahul Dravid is set to represent the players in the meeting in Bangalore. BCCI vice-president Shashank Manohar, treasurer N Srinivasan and former president IS Bindra will be part of the meeting. Board secretary Niranjan Shah and Chief Administrative Officer Ratnakar Shetty are also expected to be present

The ceiling on endorsements at three per player, which the board announced after India's first-round exit from the World Cup, has been a bone of contention between the players and the board. Seven former Indian captains, who met the board officials after the World Cup debacle and discussed a variety of issues, made this proposal as they felt it was affecting performance but it is likely that the board will soften its stance on the issue.

The proposal to do away with graded payments, where all those contracted will be paid a fixed retainer irrespective of seniority, has also not gone down well with the players. Though the board hasn't fixed a quantum of payment the players' contention is that an experienced player brings more to the table than a youngster and should be rewarded accordingly. There appears to be no issue with the proposed match-fee of Rs. 1.5 lakh per ODI and Rs. 2.5 lakh per Test (amounts comparable to the earlier figures) but there is a move to push for grading the players like before.

Despite the players being unhappy about the contracts in their current form, it is unlikely that they will take any extreme step, whether it be exercising the legal option in the endorsements case or going on strike and refusing to sign. Neither is on a firm footing - the board's stance has relatively weakened, especially after two television deals fell through recently, while the players don't have the performances to back up their case.

"Both parties are keen to sort out the issue before the team leaves for their tour to Ireland and England," Shah told Cricinfo. "Hopefully we will reach some sort of compromise on the contentious issues." The Indian team have a packed schedule over the next few months with tours to Ireland, England and the Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa.