April 16, 2008	Wednesday	Rabi-us-Sani 9, 1429

MUMBAI, April 15: International Cricket Council’s principal advisor I.S. Bindra warned cricketers against giving up their central contracts to participate in cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL), saying Twenty20 event will not accept any rebel.

Bindra, also a member of IPL governing board, urged players to be patient and wait for the league to adjust itself in cricket calendar.

“That solution (players rejecting central contracts) is not acceptable to us. We will not have any player revolting against their establishment and becoming part of IPL,” he added.

His comments came in wake of England Cricket Board’s refusal to allow its players to participate in next edition of IPL, which triggered speculation that cricketers might revolt against the move.

Apart from this, a players’ survey in Australia also revealed easy money on offer in IPL was too tempting for cricketers to resist and they were willing to give up national duty for it.

Bindra said IPL does not wish to be labelled a rebel tournament by allowing revolting players to participate.

He said he would speak to ECB chairman Giles Clarke during IPL inauguration in Bangalore to work out a window for English players. “We don’t want to be a rebel league, we want to be part of the system with support of the ECB.”—Agencies