Indian Premier League (IPL) Chairman Rajiv Shulka said here on Sunday that there was no conscious effort to keep the Pakistanis out of IPL VI. There will be no Pakistani cricketer in the next edition of the competition.
“We have nothing against the Pakistanis. There is Pakistani participation in the IPL. We have a few of them in coaching roles, some are a part of the support staff and there are others in the commentary panel. But about the inclusion of the Pakistani cricketers, I will have a talk with the franchises at some point,” he said.
Asked about India taking on Pakistan in a neutral venue, Mr. Shukla replied: “We are against meeting any country in a neutral venue in a bilateral series. This has been BCCI’s consistent policy.”
Queried about the inclusion of Aussie batsman Luke Pomersbach — he was sold to Kings XI Punjab for $300,000 on Sunday — in IPL VI after he was allegedly involved in an off-field incident with a lady in the last season, Mr. Shukla answered, “the matter has been settled between both parties. In any case the IPL can only monitor the on-field activities of a cricketer. If something happens in the hotel room that has to be handled by the police. But the issue involving Pomersbach is a closed one now.”
He said Sunday’s auction took place in a cordial atmosphere. “Everything went smoothly. There were no complaints.”
The IPL also confirmed that Sunrisers batsman Jean-Paul Duminy and Daredevils paceman Varun Aaron would miss IPL VI due to injuries.
In another development, Nita Ambani of Mumbai Indians said although a decision had been taken to make Sachin Tendulkar the captain of the team for the next season, the final decision would be taken by the maestro himself.
“The request is before Tendulkar. He has to take the call,” she said.
