The International Cricket Council has said that it received signed but 'altered' World Cup contracts from India on Tuesday, continuing the confusion over whether the players have agreed to play in the tournament starting next month.
"The IDI [world cricket body's marketing arm] confirmed today that it has received the signed but altered Player Terms contracts from the Board of Control for Cricket in India," said ICC corporate affairs manager Brendan McClements.
"The ICC Cricket World Cup Contracts Committee will meet later this week to discuss whether the altered contracts will be accepted."
The Indian board announced last week that all 15 squad members had signed up for the February 9 to March 23 event in South Africa, but were still unhappy about some terms relating to sponsorships.
The long-running dispute and the receipt of 'altered' contracts could yet see India's players boycotting the World Cup.
The players, who make more money through endorsements than through match fees, are opposed to ICC demands that they freeze personal advertising before, during and after the tournament so as not to clash with official World Cup sponsors.
BCCI president Jagmohan Dalmiya said last week the players were 'extremely keen to participate'. He said he was not sure if their 'qualified signatures' would end the impasse.
BCCI secretary Karunakaran Nair told Reuters by phone from Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday: "The players' objections... have been recorded while signing."
Should the ICC be unhappy with the contracts, the issue could end up in the Lausanne-based Court of Arbitration for Sport, an independent body set up to rule on sporting issues.
