The vital meeting between the International Cricket Council and the Board of Control for Cricket in India on the players' contract remained inconclusive on Monday, with the two sides deciding to meet again within ten days.

"We are very close to resolving the issue. Very significant progress has been made, but some more discussions are needed to reach a solution," Jagmohan Dalmiya, president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India told reporters in Kolkata.

Monday's meeting dwelt on the contentious question of Indian cricketers abiding by an ICC contract that will regulate their own business endorsements during the World Cup.

The ICC was represented in the meeting by its general manager (cricket) Dave Richardson and Contracts' Committee member Justice Ahmed Ebrahim, while Dalmiya represented the BCCI. Ace Indian spinner Anil Kumble was the players' voice at the meeting.

"Previously there was a wide gap between the ICC's and BCCI's understanding of the contracts' issue. But we have narrowed the differences and can say we are close to resolving the problems," Dalmiya said.

Justice Ebrahim said: "The meeting was encouraging and the players' concerns have been taken into consideration. However, we need to speak about a few more points that we cannot disclose right now.

"A resolution should be reached in the next week or ten days because it's important to resolve the issue before the World Cup."

He added: "The best Indian team is keen to play in the World Cup and the BCCI is keen to ensure that."

Justice Ebrahim said most of the documents laid down in Monday's meeting had been agreed upon.

"We have narrowed down the differences," he said.

He, however, refused to specify the date for the next meeting or the venue.

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