The BCCI hoping that the ongoing series against West Indies won’t have any affect of the dispute between the players and the West Indies Cricket Board, as the Indian Board revealing about playing the role of mediator when the dispute reached crisis point before the first ODI in Kochi.
The West Indies players were about to undergo a strike before the first ODI match due to concerns over a payment agreement between the WICB and the West Indies Players’ Association. It has been understood that the BCCI’s word to the West Indies players over standing by them during their fight against the WICB and WIPA, was the key factor in the team’s decision to play in the game.
“I spoke with the boys and assured them the BCCI will discuss their problems with the WICB and help arrive at an amicable solution at the earliest,” BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel told. “We are hopeful that the series will not be affected.“
It is reported that WICB chief Whycliffe Cameron thanked Sanjay Patel for playing the mediator’s role through an email sent a day after the game.
The BCCI secretary also trashed rumours about the Indian board sanctioning a loan for the WICB to pay its players.
“I have been told that some of the regional media houses are running stories to this effect, even quoting the amount. Let me make it clear – nothing of this sort has been even discussed in the BCCI since the rules don’t allow us. No financial transaction has taken place,” Patel said.
Interestingly, during the last year’s West Indies series in India, which also was Sachin Tendulkar‘s farewell series, the BCCI had to bear the daily allowance expenses of the West Indies players.