BCCI warns players against participating in 'unapproved' T20 Leagues

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Monday issued a warning to its players against participating in "unapproved" Twenty20 leagues, emphasising that the Indian Junior Players League (IJPL), the Junior India Player League (JIPL) and the Junior Indian League are not conducted or approved by the board.

"It has come to our attention that certain T-20 cricket matches, series, tournaments and/or camps are being conducted by leagues under the names of the Indian Junior Players League ("IJPL") and the Junior India Player League/Junior Indian League ("JIPL")," BCCI acting secretary Amitabh Choudhary said.

"This is to bring to your notice that any matches, camps tournament and/or series organised by IJPL and JIPL (collectively the "Leagues") or any activity undertaken by the said leagues are not being conducted by the BCCI/Indian Premier League ("IPL") and are in no way associated with any activities undertaken or approved by the BCCI/IPL or their representatives. Accordingly, any matches and activities conducted by the leagues are deemed to be unapproved tournaments," he added.

Choudhary further insisted that any activity or matches organised by the IJPL and the JIPL are not sanctioned by the country's cricket board and, therefore, any player registered with the board cannot feature in these tournaments without permission.

"Please note that any player registered with the BCCI knowingly participating, representing or associating himself/herself with the IJPL and the JIPL in any manner is doing so without the consent of the BCCI would be doing so in violation of the BCCI Rules and Regulations. The use of any images of BCCI registered players by the leagues in any of their promotional or other material (including their websites) is an unauthorised use of such images," he said.

"The BCCI has not in any way sanctioned or permitted the participation, representation or association of any BCCI registered player with any of the leagues. Further, the BCCI has not authorised or permitted any BCCI registered player or the leagues to use the images and/or the likeness of the players," Chaudhary further added.

The BCCI also informed that that the players, who had been associated with any one of these leagues in the past i.e. Gautam Gambhir, Paras Dogra and Rishi Dhawan, have stated in writing that they have withdrawn all support and are no longer associated with the said unapproved leagues.