Mumbai:
Despite a request made in person by Sharad Pawar, the Shiv Sena has decided it will not let Australian players participate in cricket matches in the next season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), scheduled to begin in March.
Thirteen of the total 60 matches in the tournament are scheduled to be played in Mumbai.
Addressing his party via video-conference on Monday, Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray said Australian players cannot play matches in Maharashtra. Thackeray had issued the same warning earlier as payback for the repeated attacks against Indians in Australia.
On February 7, Union Minister Sharad Pawar who is also the President of the Maharashtra Cricket Association visited Thackeray at his home to ask him to reconsider. The meeting resulted in gigantic controversy, with many asking why Pawar was treating the Thackerays as an extra-constitutional authority. (
Read: Pawar meets Thackeray, snubs Congress)
Just days before, Home Minister P Chidambaram had said that he guarantees the safety of Pakistani and Australian cricketers, if they are brought to India for the IPL. (
Read: I guarantee Australian, Pakistani players security in India: Chidambaram)