BCCI suffers huge losses after West Indies pull out of tour; to seek legal action

FILE PHOTO: BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel has said that BCCI has incurred huge losses due to Windies pull out

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has suffered huge losses following West Indies cricket team’s unceremonial pull out mid-way through the tour and the Indian board is looking forward to take legal action for the same. BCCI was informed of the players’ decision not to take any further part in the tour during the first innings of the 4th ODI which went ahead with BCCI’s persuation.

“We have suffered huge losses due to the decision of the West Indies to pull out of the tour. We are going to claim all the damages and pursue the matter with ICC. We have convened an emergent working committee meeting to discuss the issue as well as the visit, at short notice, by Sri Lanka,” BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel told PTI from Baroda.

Expressing displeasure on the things that unfolded, Patel added that India might not be entering any bilateral agreements with West Indies in future.

“The working committee members will have dialogue on this and after that we may consider to not pursue further FTP programmes with West Indies. I had a very hectic time and this was an unprecedented decision. We will discuss all these at the working committee. There will be a governing council meeting of IPL preceding the WC meeting,” he said. The board is also considering a possible one-year IPL-ban on West Indies players.

Sri Lanka to fill in for West Indies

Mr. Patel had issued a statement on Friday, that West Indies series has officially been cancelled with the Dharamsala ODI and has approached the Sri Lankan board to fill in the void.

Dwayne Bravo gave a hint of things to come by saying “It's time to make a decision” at the toss on Friday.

“The BCCI would like to clarify that despite all its efforts, the Micromax Cup India vs West Indies ODI series has been curtailed because of the ongoing issue between WICB and its players, and the withdrawal of the WI team from the ongoing tour of India.

“We had already contacted the Sri Lanka board who had accepted the invitation on short notice. But they have to go back home for their next series against England,” said Mr. Patel.

Sri Lanka are expected to be in India for a 5-match ODI series starting on November 1. Detailed annoucements are expected shortly.