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

Opinion

Editorial

A difficult story
Updated 12 Jun, 2026

A difficult story

Unless productivity becomes the dominant target of economic policy, Pakistan will continue to oscillate between crises and fragile recovery.
Rough waters
12 Jun, 2026

Rough waters

AMONGST the key potential triggers for fresh conflict in South Asia is water. The Indian state is behaving in an...
Politicised football
12 Jun, 2026

Politicised football

ALMOST three-and-half years since Lionel Messi led Argentina to FIFA World Cup glory, the latest edition of...
GB polls’ aftermath
Updated 11 Jun, 2026

GB polls’ aftermath

The new administration must address the region’s issues proactively.
Peace in retreat
11 Jun, 2026

Peace in retreat

THE ceasefire announced in April was supposed to create space for negotiations. Instead, it has been repeatedly...
A few good men
11 Jun, 2026

A few good men

IT was a brave move, no doubt. This Tuesday, in the land of the Afghan Taliban, a few good men decided to take a...