New Delhi:
South African cricketer Wayne Parnell today claimed that he and fellow Pune Warriors teammate Rahul Sharma were innocent and that they were "at the wrong place at the wrong time" after the duo were detained during a raid on a rave party in suburban Juhu.
Although Parnell admitted that both the players were present at the party in the Oakwood Premier Hotel, they said they were unaware of any drugs being supplied there on Sunday night.
"Me and Rahul were invited to someone's birthday. We got there at about 5:00 pm in the afternoon and by 7 pm the police officers were there. Obviously, once we were inside we got caught indoors," he said.
"It is unfortunate we were there. But at the end of the day, it was just a simple case of being at a wrong place at the wrong time," Parnell said.
"We weren't aware of any drugs there or any rave party.
It was out on a pool terrace," he told a news channel.
In their defence, Parnell said both he and Rahul are teetotallers.
"People who know me know that I don't drink or smoke. We both were just drinking water and dancing," he said.
Parnell said they went for the party after being invited by a common friend for a birthday bash.
"We met last year during the IPL. We phone each other and speak to each other regularly. They just said it is one of their friend's birthday, so we just went there to meet them.
Because the IPL has finished and all our matches are over, it was the last day to get together. It is unfortunate that this has happened," he said in his defence.
The South African left-arm pacer said as he was not guilty, he preferred to show his face during his arrest.
"I wanna fully co-operate with the investigation. That's why last night I did not cover my face, which would have meant I am guilty," Parnell said.
Parnell also said that he enjoys the full backing of his countrymen and his IPL team, Pune Warriors, in this hour of crisis.
"Everyone who messaged me has supported me. Back home all are pretty confident that I am not guilty.
"The Pune team is also fully supporting us. They know us very well and know that we won't participate in any such thing," he said.
Parnell and Rahul, along with 94 others, were detained during a raid on a rave party on Sunday night, but were let off today after collection of their blood and urine samples.