It may have been put on the back foot, but the BCCI maintained a strong stance on Saturday, stating rules would not be changed for any Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise.

This followed a statement issued by Sahara Adventure Sports Ltd, which indicated its intention to withdraw from its involvement in Indian cricket, including the IPL. “The BCCI cherishes its relationship with all the IPL franchises. The rules are applicable to all of them,” Mr Sanjay Jagdale, Honorary Secretary, BCCI said in a statement.

“…We intend to contact Sahara Adventure Sports Ltd soon to clarify its intentions,” he said.

“If we understand Sahara Adventure Sports Ltd's statement, it intends not to participate in the 2012 IPL Auction or in the 2012 IPL Season. During the last few days, Sahara Adventure Sports has requested that IPL vary its player regulations by allowing it to increase its auction purse from $1.6 million to $3.4 million in light of Yuvraj Singh's unfortunate illness,” he said.

“Whilst all within IPL and BCCI have a huge amount of sympathy for Yuvraj Singh and wish him all the best for a speedy recovery, it is unable to vary the player regulations,” the statement said.

The rules are very clear and are consistent with previous seasons. Sahara Adventure Sports may take a replacement following the 2012 Auction. Additionally, the trading window will re-open on February 6 and Sahara Adventure Sports will then have a further opportunity to take new players, the statement said.

In the first four seasons of IPL, other franchises have been obliged to cope with periods of unavailability of their players and have taken replacements according to prevailing regulations.

>richam@thehindu.co.in

Related Topics