Team India lose chief sponsor

Sahara group, cricket sponsor since 2000, says it is ending a "one-sided emotional relationship" with BCCI.

NEW DELHI: Indian cricket was hit by a major crisis on Saturday when the long-time sponsor of the national team pulled out over differences with the board.

The Sahara group of companies, which has been a cricket sponsor since 2000, said in a statement that it was ending what it called a "one-sided emotional relationship" with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

The group cited several reasons for the sudden pull-out, but insisted it had nothing to do with the national team's recent performances, in which they lost eight consecutive Tests abroad against England and Australia.

"We really feel such one-sided emotional relationship cannot be dragged any further," the company statement said. "We are withdrawing from all cricket under the BCCI."

Sahara also withdrew its ownership of the Pune Warriors team in the Indian Premier League, causing turmoil in the glitzy Twenty20 league ahead of the next edition, which starts in April.

Sahara said it was unhappy with the BCCI's dealings with it over the Pune Warriors franchise, which was bought for the 2011 edition of the IPL for $370 million.

"Our first entry into IPL was thwarted in 2008 when we were disqualified, owing to a small technicality on the whims and fancies of the BCCI," the company said.

"Last year, Sahara entered the IPL on the basis of information in the media and everywhere else that 94 matches will be played among 10 teams. The bid price was accordingly calculated, but only 74 matches were played.

"We are still pursuing continuously with the BCCI to refund the extra bid money proportionately. It has been denied on the basis of strict rules."

Sahara was also unhappy that the BCCI had not allowed it to use the $180,000 it paid for India star Yuvraj Singh on another player, even though the left-hander is indisposed and ruled out of the competition.

Yuvraj is being treated for a non-malignant lung tumour which was diagnosed after the World Cup last year.

"We requested the BCCI on the basis of the fact that we have only one Indian marquee player, we should be allowed to add the price of Yuvraj in our auction purse," the statement said.

"Again, we have been denied on the basis of the rule book. Yet again, it's a case of being denied natural justice."

The BCCI said in a statement it will contact Sahara "as soon as practicable to clarify its intentions."

"During the last few days Sahara has requested that IPL vary its regulations by allowing it to increase its auction purse in light of Yuvraj Singh's unfortunate illness," the statement said.

"Whilst all within IPL and BCCI have a huge amount of sympathy for Yuvraj Singh and wish him all the best for a speedy recovery, it is unable to vary the player regulations."

Sahara, whose fresh four-year contract worth an estimated $115 million for the national team runs out in December 2013, said it would give the BCCI time to find a new sponsor.

"We don't want to give any problem to the BCCI and we also feel that the players should not suffer," the statement said.

"The BCCI will definitely take two to four months to get a new sponsor and we will continue paying the sponsorship money till then."

Sahara said that all players, coaches and officials associated with Pune Warriors would be paid even if the BCCI barred the franchise from playing in the IPL.

The Lucknow-based Sahara group operates in the finance, infrastructure, housing, media and consumer goods.