Indian cricket should cut all ties with West Indies: Thakur

Reacting angrily to the West Indies' pull out, BCCI joint secretary Anurag Thakur severely criticised WICB's decision to call its players back midway from the tour and said that the Indian board should cut all ties with the Caribbean team.

"They (West Indies players) had made their decision last night. BCCI got to know about it in the morning. BCCI tried their level best to convince them but they were adamant not to play due to their internal pay dispute with the board," said Thakur, who somehow convinced the West Indies team to play the ODI in Dharamsala.

Thakur sympathised with the West Indies players but said pulling out of the tour was not the right way to show protest over a pay dispute.

"They should have behaved more responsibly. BCCI should file a complaint with the ICC. The behaviour of players and West Indies board is not right. For the future tour programmes, BCCI should not play with the  West Indies. They need to pay for the losses BCCI has incurred from this tour. That way no board or player in the near future should do this kind of practice which goes against the game of cricket," said Thakur, who is also Himachal cricket boss.

About West Indies players' participation the IPL, he said: "BCCI should decide on their IPL participation too. Though franchisees are involved, it remains a domestic tournament run by the board. They have to look at overall growth of cricket."

Thakur further added: "The players could have decided this before coming to India. They may have their valid reason but this is no way to behave."

Image: BCCI joint secretary Anurag Thakur

Photograph: BCCI