South African players will be allowed to play in the IPL only when India confirm their tour to South Africa, according to Haroon Lorgat

Ultimatum issued to BCCI?

What’s the story?

In a surprising development, Haroon Lorgat, the president of Cricket South Africa, shot out a letter to Rahul Johri, the CEO at Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), in which he requested the BCCI to confirm India's tour of South Africa which will start with the Boxing Day Test et the end of this year. He also mentioned that only if the BCCI concurs with the request would he agree to South African cricketers continuing to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

However, Johri was quite defiant in his response and said that he chose to "ignore" the request. "I didn't even bother to communicate. We will communicate when the time is right," he was as quoted by the TOI. 

The Details

Lorgat is clearly trying to push the BCCI into a corner by playing the IPL participation card as he is well aware that the BCCI would look at several options when the IPL is at stake. 

Even this year the CSA did not extend the window for the South African players and as a result all of them had to go back after their deadline came to an end on May 8.

The South African board appears jittery owing to the fact that while it expects the Indian Team to tour the rainbow nation later this year, the BCCI has not yet given a green signal to the series. 

In case you didn’t know...

BCCI was isolated at the recently held voting for the revenue model of the ICC and the irked Indian board could well look at options to even out the orders. Also, CSA expects India to extend its support to its proposed Global Destination T20 League for which a window is yet to be created.

What's next?

Although the BCCI has not responded to the mail by the CSA, it has to take a call sooner rather than later as the IPL needs the foreign players to sustain its brand value. Also, the BCCI will be well aware of the fact that in order to enjoy the clout which the IPL currently enjoys, it has to take into account the interests of all the participating nations. 

Author's Take

Many believe that this mail by the CSA is an ultimatum of sorts for the BCCI and it comes at a time when the position of the BCCI is not very strong. Thus, it will not be appreciated by the Indian board which could well embark on a journey which will not go down too well with the other nations which did not vote in favour of the BCCI at the ICC meet.