GPL runs into rough weather

Panaji: The Goa Professional League (GPL) T20 cricket found itself in a soup after several leading players told franchisees they did not want to risk their future by participating in the tournament.
The organizers were forced to alter the schedule three times leading to the opener as at least two participating teams - Caculo Goans and Dempo Cricket Club -- said they needed more days to complete their squads.Whatever team they had, primarily revolving around four quality outstation players, was now reduced to nothing as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) made it clear that those participating in the tournament without their state association approvals will have to face sanctions.
“Without our star outstation players, we were left with just ten players. How could we play the opening game,” said one official from Caculo Goans who were the worst hit.
Caculo Goans were relying on outstation players like Piyush Chawla, Rahul Sharma, Rishi Dhawan and Sachin Baby to help them win the T20 tournament on debut in Goa. They were preparing for the tournament in right earnest and were marked to play the opener against Sarvodaya Royals on Sunday. But on the morning of the match, the outstation players received telephonic calls that they were risking their future -- primarily participation in the cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL) T20 -- by playing in Goa.
“Basically, there is a BCCI rule which states that players must obtain NOC from their respective state associations before playing in domestic tournaments like the GPL T20. GCA officials spoke with BCCI and sought relaxation but the players did not want to take a chance because the BCCI, till a few hours before the opener, had not provided any exemption to Goa on record,” said the official.
With just ten players, there was no way Caculo Goans could have taken the field for the opener on Sunday, prompting Goa Cricket Association to plead with Salgaocar Sports Club to bail them out.
Dempo also had similar problems as Swapnil Singh (Baroda), Ashok Menaria (Rajasthan), Sandeep Sharma (Punjab) and Gurkeerat Singh Mann (Punjab) have all turned their back on the franchise.
How soon Caculo Goans or Dempo will be able to complete their squad was not clear. Sources said they have told the organizers they will have a “team which can compete” only on Wednesday.
“We have been left with no option but to take local players, and we fear they may not be good enough for GPL,” said another official.
The GPL, this year, had attracted some established players from the T20 cricket circle, including former internationals. But while players with a big profile are definitely out, those from ‘friendly’ associations like Jammu & Kashmir and Uttar Pradesh could still be seen in action.