Caribbean flight missed,now BCCI rips their county tickets

But the BCCI has refused to give them a No-Objection Certificate.

The reason,according to BCCI Chief Administrative Officer Ratnakar Shetty,is Team India’s packed itinerary leading up to the World Cup next year. “We want our players to use their time in training and fitness. That is why we have said no to all our contracted players,” he told The Indian Express on Thursday.

BCCI’s stand means Sharma’s talks with Kent and Hampshire ended abruptly. “I have been told that a county stint can really help a pacer. But with the BCCI not allowing me,I won’t be able to go,” he said.

At the end of a forgettable Indian Premier League campaign,Ishant’s bowling coach at Kolkata Knight Riders,Wasim Akram,had suggested that the lanky Delhi bowler could gain from county experience.

Shetty said that close to three months of non-stop cricket in the county circuit will be physically and mentally tough on the Indian stars — bad news when the BCCI is looking to keep fringe players fit for action. “There is lot of pressure on overseas players in county cricket. And the fringe players will not get enough rest,” he said.

Leg-spinner Mishra,however,said he had not planned to spend the entire summer in England. “Worcestershire had approached me for a short stint. So maybe I would have gone there for a month for so. Now I have to make a fresh plan,” he said.

Sehwag too had not been keen on a full season. Northamptonshire had approached him for just the T20 competition.

Shetty argued that Ishant’s case was different from that of Zaheer.

“He is very important for the country. We want to preserve him,so that he can be available whenever the team needs him. As far as the Zaheer was concerned,he was not even in the reckoning when he went to play in England in 2006,” Shetty said. “But,” he added,“the most important thing is the hectic schedule.”

Less than two weeks after the World T20,India travel to Zimbabwe for a tri-series. This will be followed by the Asia Cup and three Tests in Sri Lanka. Then there is an ODI series against Australia,New Zealand will visit for a full Test tour,and India go on a lengthy tour of South Africa.