New Delhi: The BCCI on Friday night ended the confusion over the status of West Indies' tour of India by categorically stating that the series has been called off, despite the WICB claiming that it has not yet done so.
Uncertainty prevailed over the continuation of West Indies' tour to India with the BCCI stating that it has been called off by the WICB and announcing a replacement tour while the Windies Board said in a statement later that it had not taken any such decision.
Earlier in the day, the BCCI had issued a statement saying that the West Indies cricket team has pulled out of the remaining part of its India tour in the wake of an acrimonious ongoing pay dispute with their Board and has roped in Sri Lanka for a five-match ODI series.
The aggrieved Caribbean players were persuaded to take the field for the fourth ODI at Dharamsala but have conveyed their decision to call off the remaining part of tour to the BCCI, which is now contemplating legal action against the visitors.
The WICB said in a later statement that "contrary to media reports, it has taken no decision to discontinue the ongoing tour to India" and "will make a statement following the conclusion of the fourth ODI which is in progress".
Apparently to clear the air over the uncertainty, the BCCI issued another statement later, saying that the tour has been "curtailed" and no further matches will be held.
"The BCCI would like to clarify that despite all its efforts, Micromax Cup India vs West Indies ODI series has been curtailed because of the ongoing issue between WICB and its players, and the withdrawal of the WI team from the ongoing tour of India," BCCI Secretary Sanjay Patel said in a release.
Patel said at 2pm today, West Indies team manager Richie Richardson sent a mail to him, saying that the visiting players have decided not to continue with the tour.
"17 October ? 2:00 pm: Mr. Richie Richardson sent a mail to the BCCI stating the following: 'Despite agreeing to play the 4th ODI in Dharamshala, regrettably, the current West Indies players have decided that they will not participate any further in this tour and wish to return home after this match.
"In light of this, I suggest that the entire squad travel to Delhi tomorrow and be booked into a hotel there, until international return flights have been booked. On behalf of the entire squad and WICB, I apologise for the inconvenience caused'," Patel quoted a mail sent by Richardson.
"This makes it clear that all along, the WICB was withdrawing its team if a resolution was not reached in the issue with their players," Patel said.