Bal Thackeray had earlier stated that Australians would not be allowed to play in Maharashtra in Indian Premium League, in retaliation against the racist attacks against Indians in Melbourne and other parts of Australia. In between, Mr Sharad Pawar had been to meet Mr Thackeray at the latter's residence to plead with him to allow Australian players to participate in the coming season of IPL.
On Monday, in a video-taped message to Shiv Sena workers, Mr Thackeray was supposed to have delivered a snub to Mr Pawar when he said, “Since the attacks on Indians are continuing in Australia, there is no question of withdrawing our opposition to the Australian cricketers. We will not allow them to play IPL games either in Mumbai or other venues in Maharashtra till such time that the racist attacks on Indians settled in Australia continue.”
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But the Tiger took a U-turn on Tuesday. But Sanjay Raut, the the executive editor of Sena mouthpiece Saamna, maintained there was no U-turn: “Balasaheb has said that preventing Australian cricketers from playing in Mumbai or Maharashtra is not the Shiv Sena’s personal political agenda. He said someone had to raise a voice against racist attacks on Indians in Australia, and the Shiv Sena was doing that on behalf of the country. But Balasaheb has said that if people cannot understand what the Shiv Sena’s agitation is about, let the Australians come and play."
The Saamna published this letter from the BCCI chief Shashank Manohar citing it as one of the reasons for Mr Thackeray's decision.
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To
Mr Balasaheb Thackeray
'Matoshree', Kalanagar,
Bandra (E), Mumbai - 400051
Respected Balasaheb Thackeray,
I read your opinion on Australian and Pakistani cricketers in the newspapers. In this connection, on behalf of the BCCI, it is only appropriate that the factual situation be brought to your notice. Hence my decision to write to you.
The Indian Premier League is organising cricket matches in 10 states including Maharashtra between 13th March 2010 and 24th April 2010. Eight Indian teams will be taking part with each team having about 20 players. | Of these twelve to fourteen players will be Indian. Of the 11 members in a playing squad it is required that at least 7 players be Indian. So there will only be a maximum of four foreign players in a team.
These players numbering four or less, will be from the 8 countries Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, New Zealand, Australia, West Indies, South Africa, England and Zimbabwe. As this is the Indian Premier League's tournament the entire teams of Australia, Pakistan, England etc will not be taking part. As not a single Pakistani player will be playing in the League this year there is no question of them taking part.
As already mentioned including Australia players from 8 countries will be playing of these only 4 players from 4 countries are allowed to play for a team. From this it will be clear to you that there is no question of the entire Australian team playing in the Indian Premier League.
For the past 75 years the headquarters of the BCCI has been in Mumbai. You and Mumbaikars have always had faith in cricket. In an around Mumbai thousands of budding cricketers play the game and show their enthusiasm for it. Cricket loving Mumbiakars will disappointed if games of the world famous Indian Premier League are not played in Mumbai. Cricket lovers in Mumbai and budding cricketers in and around Mumbai will miss out on the opportunity of watching world famous cricketers and techniques used in the game. Everyone knows of your love for Mumbaikars. As all the facts regarding the tournament have been placed before you I am sure you will not disappoint cricket loving Mumbaikars. You are requested on behalf of the BCCI to reconsider your view on this tournament that will have players from Australia and other countries and co-operate with the BCCI and cricket loving Mumbiakars to make it successful.
Look forward to hearing from you,
Yours truly,
Shashank Manohar
President, The Board of Control for Cricket in India
