NEW DELHI, Sept 3: India’s cricket chief said Tuesday he will persuade the sport’s world governing body to alter contentious sponsorship contracts — provided the top stars sign up for next week’s Champions Trophy.

Jagmohan Dalmiya, president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, said he had written to the players Monday outlining the extent to which he could go to solve the issue.

Dalmiya wrote: “I would like to mention that all the participating countries, except India, have agreed to grant imaging rights to the ICC and its sponsors.

“It may, therefore, be difficult for the ICC to grant a relaxation only for one country. But, I intend speaking to the ICC to ensure that none of the Indian cricketers are called upon for imaging during the Champions Trophy.

“You will appreciate that if no (Indian) player is called upon for imaging, the question of applicability of the relevant clause for six months would not arise at all.

“This would be the simplest way to avoid problems either for the Indian cricketers or for the ICC.

“I have, of course, not come to any agreement with the ICC in this regard and will not do so unless a confirmation is received from you to abide by the commercial terms and conditions during the 18-day duration of the Champions Trophy as well as 30 days after the event, subject to the provision that the Indian players would not be called upon for imaging,” the letter said.—AFP