Sahara remains on Team India jersey

The Sahara and BCCI impasse has finally ended with the board agreeing to Sahara's demands and Sahara willing to continue sponsorship of the Indian team, that it had withdrawn on February 4, ahead of the Indian Premier League auction.

With the compromise being reached, Pune Warriers will continue to feature in the in IPL.

The joint statement issued by the BCCI and Sahara India also stated that trading window for the fifth edition of the IPL that was due for close on Friday will be extended to Wednesday, 29 February to provide Pune Warriors India the opportunity to have negotiations with other franchises so that it can strengthen its squad.

The BCCI has also softened it's stand on contentious issue of replacement of icon player Yuvraj Singh, who is undergoing treatment for lung cancer in the US.

This is notwithstanding the recent working committee decision rejecting five foreign players in the playing XI. The statement said, "In consideration of the exceptional circumstance and the non-availability of Mr. Yuvraj Singh, Sahara has offered to obtain the consent of all the franchises for the submission to the BCCI."

The Board also re-activated the Auction Purse of Pune Warriors so that it can take the required number of players in its team in accordance with the IPL rules.

However, the contentious issues of reduction in franchise fee for 74 matches by Sahara, the joint statement stated that the two have agreed "to start the arbitration proceedings initiated by Sahara through appointment of an arbitrator".

"BCCI does not have any issues with Sahara seeking a strategic partner in the Pune Warriors India franchise, subject to terms of the Franchise Agreement," added the statement.

With regards to signing of the overseas players who did not figure in the auction register, the statement stated, "subject to the relevant player regulations, BCCI agrees to the request subject to the views of all other franchise."

The BCCI has also paid heed to Sahara's request for one of the play-off matches to be played Pune. As per the IPL regulations the play-off matches are awarded to the finalists of the previous editions, in this case the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). The statement added that the BCCI has in principle has agreed to "host one of the play off in the new Pune stadium subject to the consent of RCB."

As for Sahara's request to furnish the bank guarantee against the franchisee fee in two instalments, the Board has agreed to consider it at the next available opportunity.



Keywords: The Sahara , BCCI ,sponsorship , Indian team, Indian Premier League , IPL,Sahara India , icon player Yuvraj Singh, lung cancer , IPL rules,play-off matches, awarded , Royal Challengers Bangalore ,Pune stadium,cricket news, sports news, today cricket news