Move after Rajasthan Royals complain about alleged negotiations with other teams.
Has Ravindra Jadeja become too big for his boots? His Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise seems to think so. The 21-year-old all-rounder is believed to have invited the wrath of his team, Rajasthan Royals, for his ‘anti-team activities’. Jadeja has been banned for a year.
It was learnt late on Friday that the Royals had left Jadeja out of the squad that will take part in IPL III, scheduled to start on March 12. Inquiries revealed that the left-arm bowler had been punished by the IPL’s governing council.
The Saurashtra player is accused of trying to bypass IPL rules. Well-placed sources in the cricket league revealed that Jadeja tried to negotiate with another franchise.
“It has come to our notice that he was trying to violate all the franchisee and IPL rules," an IPL official said. "He tried to bargain about his fees with his team. Such indiscipline cannot be tolerated.”
After a complaint was lodged against Jadeja, the IPL authorities made inquiries and then unanimously decided to ban him from the league for 12 months.
Jadeja, who played a stellar role for the Jaipur team in IPL-I, was originally bought by the Royals for Rs12 lakh. His performance led to his inclusion in the India ODI and Twenty20 squads. To date, he has played 19 ODIs and five Twenty20 internationals.
The impact the IPL decision will have on the player’s international career could not be immediately ascertained.
Jadeja, who is believed to be aware of the disciplinary action against him, could not be reached for comment. His cell phones were switched off.
Messages sent to Rajasthan Royals co-owner Manoj Badale failed to elicit any response. Lalit Modi, IPL chairman, refused to comment.
But Rajasthan Royals CEO Sean Morris confirmed that Jadeja had been left out of the final squad for the season.
Morris agreed that the franchise had taken the matter up with the IPL governing council. But he expressed ignorance of any action being taken against the player by the IPL.
"We work with the IPL authorities," Morris said. "It is a continuous process. I am in London now. I do not know what action has been taken against Jadeja."
Specifically asked if the player had been hobnobbing with any other franchise, Morris neither confirmed nor denied it. "I do not know if he was doing it," he said.
Friday was the last day for the IPL teams to submit their final squads for the third season of the moneyspinner.
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