BCCI ask for USD 42 million in damages from WICB

Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have reportedly claimed damages of up to US$41.97 million from the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), as a result of the withdrawal of the Windies set-up mid way during their tour of India.

BCCI have also cancelled bilateral tours with the board for the time being and in case the board doesn't reply within a time frame of 15 days, legal action will be taken. Sanjay Patel, BCCI's secretary, suggested that within the next 15 days, the WICB need to reply and show that how can they reimburse for the huge losses in "acceptable terms."

"Pending resolutions of all disputes, the BCCI suspends all bilateral cricketing relations with the WICB," Patel was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

Patel said that the BCCI's officials were aware of the seriousness of the issue surrounding the pay dispute and they tried their level best to avoid the disaster.

Patel continued by writing that the outcome of the debacle was "multi-fold and crippling" for BCCI. "The BCCI is faced with huge revenue losses, a loss of reputation and is at risk of losing valuable commercial partners.

"The consequences of cancellation of a committed home tour during the biggest festival season Diwali in India is a monumental disaster for the BCCI. It is during this season that our partners derive the most value from their rights."

Patel also wrote that as a result of the pullout, the official broadcaster of BCCI is facing a severe crisis. "Our broadcaster had committed to its advertisers during this season and on account of your actions, is facing a severe crisis the effects of which are felt by the BCCI. The BCCI holds the WICB responsible and liable for all such consequences and intends to enforce its rights to seek compensation from the WICB to the fullest extent permissible in law."

Patel asked for a written undertaking as to how the WICB would pay off the damages and even warned of sanctions, in case they don't reply in satisfactory terms within a time frame of 15 days. "In the event the BCCI does not receive such a proposal in acceptable terms, within a period of 15 days from receipt of this letter, please note that the BCCI has peremptorily instructed its attorneys to initiate steps for recovery of the losses by filing appropriate legal proceedings against the WICB in the appropriate Indian Court and you may treat this notice as a formal demand in that regard."

Despite Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) deciding to help out BCCI by touring India, Patel said that it isn't enough to "offset the loss" that have been suffered. He added, "This is because the SLC has not committed to any additional tour of India but has only advanced its 2015 Tour to 2014. In return, the BCCI has agreed to tour Sri Lanka in 2015 whereby it has permanently and irretrievably lost a valuable home tour."

Patel summed up by writing, "The adverse financial ramifications and the negative impact of your action to unilaterally cancel the remainder of the tour was well within your understanding, yet you still went ahead and cancelled the your in complete disregard of your legal commitments.

"The WICB is also aware that each National Board is committed to touring each other in a given period such that the schedule of tours between each of the Boards is fixed 8 years in advance. Such touring obligations are on a reciprocal basis so as to reflect not only fairness in ranking but also equal opportunity to each Board. As such, given the limited windows of opportunity and the long-term schedule of tours as between the National Cricket Boards, rescheduling of tours within the 8-year period becomes impossible."