Dalmiya turns on players

Dalmiya is unhappy with the approach of his players

The head of Indian cricket has hit out at the country's leading players over the row concerning contracts for the forthcoming ICC Champions Trophy tournament.

Jagmohan Dalmiya, president of the Board of Control, has accused the team of "lacking intelligence" by refusing to sign the contracts, which insist they must give up personal endorsements for the duration of the 17-day competition.

The matter is due to be discussed at next week's International Cricket Council executive committee meeting in Dubai and Dalmiya is expecting to be given a rough ride.

I almost begged to them but they seem to have more faith in Ravi Shastri

Jagmohan Dalmiya

He claims the ICC had agreed to his proposal to review the contracts, but the stance of the Indian players has made his job more difficult.

"I am stunned by the lack of intelligence on some of our senior players.

"By refusing to sign, they have given ICC much time to negate all our efforts," The Times of India quoted Dalmiya as saying.

Sri Lankans unhappy

The dispute focuses on Clause 13 of the contracts which prohibit players from allowing their "name, voice, image likeness or other representation" to be used by any company other than the official sponsors from 30 days before the start of the tournament until 30 days after the final game.

Robin Singh could captain India

India are not the only team at loggerheads with the game's world governing body, with Sri Lankan players reportedly unhappy about the terms of the contracts.

They have asked Graeme Labrooy of the Sri Lanka Cricketers' Association to handle negotiations on their behalf.

Local newspapers claim the players want a 30% slice of the money raised from the tournament as compensation.

The England and Wales Cricket Board, however, reached agreement with players' representatives on Saturday and will be sending their strongest available side to Sri Lanka, as will Australia, South Africa and New Zealand.

India, meanwhile, remain at the centre of the dispute, although spokesman Ravi Shastri, a former Test all-rounder, has insisted the players are willing to be flexible.

"Nobody wants a confrontation. The players have given me to understand they would be keen for a solution if something concrete comes up from the board," he said.

The Indian Board has already drawn up a provisional list of 25 players, excluding those currently on tour in England.

If no compromise is reached, all-rounder Robin Singh could be named as captain, although he last played one-day international cricket in April last year.