25 March 2024 last updated at 19:12 GMT
 
Indian cricketers' participation 'essential' for Oz BBL success
Sunday 14 October 2012

Chairman of Cricket New South Wales, Harry Harinath has said it's crucial for the future of the Big Bash League (BBL) that the BCCI (Board Of Control For Cricket In India) releases its contracted stars to play in Australia's domestic Twenty20 tournament.

Harinath, a Cricket Australia (CA) board member, who will be traveling with NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell to India next month as part of a trade delegation, said that having Indians compete in the tournament would guarantee massive ratings for the Big Bash League in the subcontinent.

"The BCCI [Board of Control for Cricket in India] don't allow any of their contracted players to play in other competitions. It's an ongoing issue and Cricket Australia is in discussions with them about it," the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Harinath, as saying.

According to the paper, Indian cricketers are signed to watertight contracts by the BCCI and, unlike Australia, the Indians are not represented by a player's association to negotiate better pay deals or conditions.

However, Harinath was adamant the CA should be able to open a channel for India's elite to compete here.

"It is achievable. If we could get an Indian player in each franchise, it would be great for the games being broadcast in India. They're already doing well, India is a nation that loves watching cricket on television," he said.

"The Sheffield Shield is watched keenly there ... but if we could get an Indian player in each Big Bash League franchise it would take the television ratings to an even higher level [in India]," he added.

ANI

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