Bengal stalwarts Ranadeb Bose and Sourasish Lahiri, alongside Cheteshwar Pujara, Rohan Banerjee and Yashpal Singh were told last evening by Kolkata franchise owners Red Chillies Entertainment to pack their bags and leave the contingent for the rest of the IPL campaign. The sudden decision, which is being seen many as a punitive move towards the team’s extras, has drawn sharp criticism from various quarters, with both Ranadeb and Sourasish expressing their disappointment over the move.

“Look, there should be no controversy on this issue. John (Buchanan) thought it unwise to carry on with the huge 23-member team at this stage. So, we decided to ask the five players to leave the camp for the time being,” Khan said after arriving in the city for the match against Delhi Daredevils.

“Let’s look at it positively. Basically, the coach and all of us thought that with the IPL reaching the closing phase, it’s wrong to go into four-hour practice sessions with 23 players. Instead, we want to focus on giving more practice to the core team. And these five players are not getting fired. Their contracts stay, our commitment towards them stays. This is a technical, purely cricketing decision,” Khan said.

But critics and Red Chillies insiders say that the decision was taken in a bid to cut down on the budget. It was learnt through reliable sources in the frachise that organisers were looking to cut down on expenditure including the players’ stay at the plush team hotel.

The team’s director Joy Bhattacharya assured that the five players in question will be given their due money. “They will be paid in full. They will get every paisa they deserve, let’s get that clear,” the team director said.

Bengal speedster Bose, who got the axe, said he was disappointed but praised coach John Buchanan for ensuring that the incident didn’t leave a bad taste in the mouth. “As a cricketer, I am disappointed. But overall, there are no harsh feelings. In fact, coach Buchanan himself told me that the thinktank is taking this decision, and he also politely explained the reason behind the decision. So, after this, there are no harsh feelings,” Bose said.

Buchanan called up each of the five players and explaining to them the reason behind the decision. Off-spinner Lahiri, too, is obviously dejected at being dropped, but maintained that the players in question will have to take the matter in their stride.

“It’s disappointing, but I know I have to come back and earn my place back in this team by doing well in the domestic season,” Lahiri said.