With the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) General Body unanimously approving an enhanced payment structure and reclassification of grades for umpires and match referees, the officials’ community in India has heaved a sigh of relief.

A senior umpire, who did not wish to be named, told mid-day on Friday after the 95th AGM of the BCCI: “It was long due as our last pay revision was in 2017-18. In between, there was almost a year of no cricket during COVID when the coffers of match officials took a beating. Finally, it happened at this AGM.”