BCCI asks ICC to talk to Indian players on sponsorship

The Board of Control for Cricket in India on Wednesday requested the International Cricket Council to speak to the Indian cricketers to settle the sponsorship controversy.

BCCI president Jagmohan Dalmiya made this request in a letter to the ICC Chief Executive Officer Malcolm Speed.

"We do not have any negotiating power. So it is the best option that the ICC speaks directly to the players who are currently in England and the ICC is also headquartered in London," Dalmiya said.

He also said the letter has already been faxed to Speed and 'we expect some response within a day or two'.

Dalmiya's move comes in the wake of players' failure to respond to the board's letter two days' ago and amid reports from England that the Indian cricketers are contemplating legal action against the ICC on the issue.

Apparently upset over the stubborn attitude of the players, Dalmiya said, "We could not settle the issue because we cannot offer anything to the players as it is the ICC contract and secondly, because players are insisting on speaking through their representative instead of talking directly to the board."

Dalmiya's move is also aimed at buying some more time before announcing the Indian team for the ICC Champions Trophy beginning on September 12 in Sri Lanka.

Complete Coverage: The ICC Contract Row

Mail Cricket Editor