Sahara pullout as BCCI sponsor overshadows IPL auction | India Gazette

Sahara pullout as BCCI sponsor overshadows IPL auction

India Gazette (IANS) Saturday 4th February, 2012

The dramatic pullout of Sahara India from the fifth edition of Indian Premier League (IPL) as franchisee of Pune Warriors and as the main sponsor of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) overshadowed the players' auction here Saturday.

In contrast to the excitement and suspense that gripped the second auction also held in this tech hub a year ago, Saturday's 'mini-auction' began on a sour note as the number of franchises reduced to eight from 10 with the cancellation of Kochi Tuskers Kerala over default and walkout by Sahara India hours before international-acclaimed auctioneer Richard Madley wielded the hammer.

As Sahara officials walked out of the auction venue, a damning statement against BCCI from the franchises after the auction got underway at a five-star hotel triggered more questions about the development as it cited several reasons, including denial of natural justice by the world's richest cricketing body.

"The auction began around 11 a.m. on a sombre note and was held in an orderly fashion for about 150 minutes till 1:30 p.m. when 17 of the 49 players were put on bid and bought by the different franchises. The absence of Pune Warriors' and Kochi Tuskers' franchisees was certainly felt," an IPL official told IANS during lunch break.

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