Pune: Nineteen retired BCCI panel scorers who served Indian cricket for more than three decades have made a fervent appeal to the Cricket Board to include their welfare in their agenda for the AGM on Friday in Mumbai.The scorers, compulsorily retired at 65 since 2022, have sought monthly pension, one-time ex-gratia and medical insurance at par with retired umpires, a statement from the scorers said. The group started scoring at Rs. 25 per day in the 1980s and includes those who had scored more than 100 BCCI matches, the scorers said.“We are not employees, we were family. We request BCCI to place our appeal on the AGM agenda,” said Suhas Sapre on behalf of the group. The group has submitted appeals via Baroda Cricket Association and state associations including those of Mumbai and Gujarat.Early last year, Sapre had written to the BCCI, appealing it to introduce financial support for former scorers who retired after the board introduced a retirement age of 65.In the letter addressed to the BCCI president in February 2025, Sapre had had highlighted significant contributions made by the scorers to the game over several decades but had received little recognition compared to other match officials such as umpires and match referees.The letter mentioned the critical role played by scorers in maintaining official records of matches and that their work also helps selectors, coaches and team management evaluate performances and formulate strategies.Sapre expressed concern that the scorers’ contribution often went unnoticed despite being an integral part of cricket administration. In his letter, he noted that while umpires and match referees were regularly acknowledged during post-match presentations, scorers rarely receive similar recognition.The group urged the board to recognise the services of retired scorers, particularly those who joined before 2006 and spent decades serving the game.Appealing for a sympathetic consideration of their case, the group said several retired scorers had devoted more than three decades to cricket, often making personal and financial sacrifices. It urged the BCCI to take a positive decision on its long-pending request and provide support to former scorers in recognition of their service.Retired scorers for whom the group seeks welfare: BV Venkatesh, Uday Gharat, S K Chaturvedi, M Nagraj, Gaitam Roy, Tapash Roy, N Lakhotia, V Ghosalkar, NK Nalwaya, Ramesh Parab, R Bhaskar, Vivek Gupte, Ravichandran, O P Sharma, T P Chennakesavalu, Suhas Sapre, Sunil Landge, M S Rahman, Kaushik Saha.
