After the BCCI officials shared the stage with ICL ‘rebels’ during the 1983 World Cup felicitation function, the Mumbai Cricket Association has followed suit.

A surprise guest at the Kanga League prize distribution today was former India captain Ajit Wadekar, who was appointed as a match referee in the inaugural ICL edition.

Asked about the MCA’s change of heart, joint secretary Hemant Waingankar explained: “If the BCCI can call players in the ICL fold and felicitate them, then why can’t we call them for a function? The Kanga League function is a big occasion for any Mumbai cricketer and we don’t want to leave out anybody.”

When Waingankar was asked about the BCCI’s past diktat about keeping a distance from ICL players he said, “I know that but as of now we have just called him as a former player and not as an ICL official.”