BCCI considering one-year IPL ban on West Indies players after pull out

Chris Gayle

Disappointed at the West Indian cricket team’s decision to pull out of the ongoing series against India, some of the top brass members of the Board of Control in India (BCCI) are said to be seriously considering imposing at least a one-year ban on the Caribbean players from participating in the Indian Premier League (IPL), reports IBN.

It is not yet clear as to who orchestrated the move to pull out – the players or the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), but the pay dispute between both the parties seems to be primary reason for the end result. The series that was supposed to feature 5 ODIs, 1 T20I and 3 Tests will now be cut short to just 4 ODIs, and the players are expected to take a flight back home after the final match at Dharmsala on Friday.

Speaking to PTI, a senior BCCI official said: “The matter is likely be raised at IPL governing council meeting where the issue will come up for serious discussions. Some of the members of board's top brass want to ban the Windies players for at least one season."

He added: "For the likes of Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard, Dwayne Bravo, IPL has been a primary source of income and the perks that they have got in India for their star status. The love that Indian public bestowed on them is unimaginable and this is pure backstabbing by their players."

Back-tracking unacceptable

There were reports of a rift earlier as well, even ahead of the first ODI, and a rumoured withdrawal from the series by the players as a sign of protest. In order to make sure the dispute didn’t leave the BCCI in a state of jeopardy, the board’s secretary Sanjay Patel intervened and had a discussion with both the WICB and the touring players and obtained assurance from them that they would not leave the series mid-way.

Although the BCCI has managed to lure Sri Lanka into accepting a 5-match ODI series to compensate for the financial losses, they haven’t taken the U-turn easily. The official said: "What BCCI officials are finding it difficult to digest is that even after their assurances to Sanjay Patel, who went to Kochi to persuade them, things have come to such a pass.

"How could they back-track on their promise? This is a matter of principles. If they can give commercial considerations priority then why won't they be penalised for their uncompromising attitude."

Over the years, Caribbean players like Chris Gayle (Royal Challengers Bangalore), Dwayne Bravo (Chennai Super Kings), Kieron Pollard (Mumbai Indians), etc., have performed exceptionally well in the event, attracting sell-out crowds and thrilling them with some exciting cricket.