Everyone has to abide to govt's directions: Ajay Jadeja on dope test on cricketers

Former Indian cricketer Ajay Jadeja on Tuesday backed the sports ministry's direction to the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) to conduct dope test on cricketers, saying everyone has to abide by the rules of the government.

Jadeja, who was speaking from the Run for Unity Programme held to mark Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's birth anniversary at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in Delhi, insisted that once the decision has been taken by the government, everyone has to implement it at one point of time or the other.

"I think we have got to abide by all the rules set up by the government. So, nobody has a choice. Here we are at the GST run, so do you have any choice at GST. Once there is a decision take up by the government it is just a matter of time for implementation," Jadeja said.

Earlier, the sports ministry had directed the NADA to enforce the World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) Code in all its "fairness and entirety" on the BCCI and conduct dope test of cricketers during domestic and international matches being played in India.

This follows after a World Anti Doping Agency" World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) report of 2016 found one Indian cricketer to have tested positive for banned substances among the 153 BCCI accredited cricketers.

The Indian cricket board had previously said that they regularly conduct doping tests and also IDTM (a WADA approved agency) for the same.

However, it was revealed earlier this year that the BCCI does not even recognise NADA and its rules even after them being approved by the cabinet.