BCCI could have postponed auction, says Gavaskar

New Delhi: Former India skipper Sunil Gavaskar feels BCCI could have postponed the Players' Auction for the 5th edition of Indian Premier League after they came to know about Sahara India's decision to snap its sponsorship contract with Team India and also pull out of the IPL.

Sahara India on Saturday ended its 11-year-old sponsorship ties with the BCCI and also pulled out of the IPL by withdrawing from Pune Warriors' ownership, hours before IPL-V auction at Bangalore.

"I think there must have been a clause to terminate a contract and Sahara would have taken legal advice before pulling out. But I feel once it was known that Sahara are pulling out, may be the auction could have been postponed till a resolution was arrived. If Pune was not a part of IPL V, then their players would have been in the auction," Gavaskar said.

"In a weeks time or 10 days, there would have been a lot of clarity in the matter and if Pune is not a part of IPL V, perhaps there will be another auction and then there would be an increase in purse and so there would be compromises," he told NDTV.

Gavaskar said it was a matter of huge concern for the players of Pune Warriors and they would be naturally be a worried lot.

We don't want players to miss IPL season: Sahara

"It is certainly unfair. If you are a player of Pune, you would be worried. You had a two year contract and suddenly you find you don't have a team to play for. So naturally, players will be worried," he said.

"What will happen is something the BCCI have to deal with, just as the way they dealt with the Kochi franchise, may be they will have another auction.

"There is a window of transfer opening but that would be for players who already have a franchise. So as far as Pune is concerned, it is a matter of huge concern for the players because these guys want to play and want to be seen, who knows, may be they can get a better deal next year," he said.