Those refusing to sign
will not be picked

The Board of Control for Cricket in India has decided to further delay the announcement of the Indian team for the ICC Champions Trophy, to be held next month, because of the deadlock in the contract row between the players and the International Cricket Council.

BCCI president Jagmohan Dalmiya told newspersons on Tuesday evening that the selectors will decide on the composition of the team later in the day but it will not be made public.

He also refused to say when the team would be announced.

Dalmiya said the BCCI is in the process of urging the players to sign the contract at least for the Champions Trophy.

"The players were very cordial in their discussions with the board and everything seemed to be going fine, but a self-styled organization or an individual ensured that the agreement did not come through.

"We understand that players who face a significant loss are not signing the agreement. But even the players not affected have refused to sign," said Dalmiya.

He added: "The crisis has to be arrested and the BCCI as well as the players are working towards arriving at a decision soon.

"Our sympathies are with the players who stand to lose a lot. I assure the players that the board will stand by them in their court battles with the sponsors if they decide to play the ICC Champions Trophy."

However, Dalmiya insisted that whatever happens, India will field a team for the September 12-29 tournament.

"If the players do not want to play then we will not play at all. But at the same time India should not give a walkover. Thus a team has to go. We have told the selectors to pick 20 probables. For those who want to think about going, the door is open," Dalmiya concluded.

Meanwhile, BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah informed that the senior players who have refused to sign the contract will not be included in the team.

"The players have been given time till 12 noon tomorrow to convey their decision after which the selection committee will pick the probables," he said.