As the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) met with some of the senior players who aborted the cricket tour of India, they were slapped with a bill of US$41.97 million representing damages and also suspending all bi-lateral cricket relations with the WICB.
Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Sanjay Patel sent the letter, addressed to president of the WICB Dave Cameron, yesterday.
The West Indies cricket team pulled out of the tour of India after the fourth ODI in Dharamshala on October 17. They did not participate in the fifth ODI and a lone T20, as well as the three Test matches.
Patel wrote Cameron explaining to him that: "The consequences on the BCCI of not delivering a scheduled home tour to its members, sponsors, broadcasters and the fans are multifold and crippling. The BCCI is faced with huge revenue losses, a loss of reputation and is at risk of losing valuable commercial partners. The consequences of cancellation of a committed home Tour during the biggest festival season Divali in India is monumental disaster for the BCCI. It is during this season that our partners derive the most value from their rights.
"Our broadcaster had committed to its advertisers during this season and on account of your actions, is facing a severe crisis the effects of which are felt by the BCCI. The BCCI holds the WICB responsible and liable for all such consequences and intends to enforce its rights to see compensation from the WICB to the fullest extent permissible in law."
The Indians are claiming damages for media rights fees for Star India, title sponsorship - Micromax, team sponsorship - Star India, kit sponsorship - Nike, Ticket revenue, Instadia sponsorship and pouring/concessionaire. The total amount comes in at US$41.97 million. The BCCI also outlined in the letter that that was not the final cost.
"Please note that the above quantification is tentative and constitute an approximation of the losses that BCCI is able to quantify at this time. The BCCI is in the process of assessing its other heads of losses including without limitation towards expenses incurred against organisation of the remaining five matches of the WICB Tour. Once quantified, the same will be intimated to the WICB."
The BCCI has given the WICB 15 days to formally inform it in writing of the steps it intends to take to compensate the BCCI towards thosee losses quantified as well as those losses yet to be quantified by the BCCI in relation to the cancelled WICB tour.
Patel also mentioned in the letter that the WICB wanted to pull out of the tour from the first one day international in Kochi.
"On the eve of the first ODI in Kochi on October 8, 2014, you intimated the BCCI that, on account of some disputes between you and your players, the WICB was considering pulling out of the tour. On account of the timely intervention of the hon secretary of the BCCI, who spoke to your players, a crisis was averted.
"However, the threat of cancellation of the tour continued to be raised prior to each of the next three ODIs where again due to intervention of high-ranking BCCI officials, your team took the field and the matches took place. Finally, after the fourth ODI at Dharamshala on October 17, 2014, you pulled out your team and communicated your decision to cancel the reminder of the tour. The WICB is more than aware of the consequences of the sport of cricket, that each national board is dependent on its home tours to generate income."