Incidentally, Chemplast includes a number of players with an ICL past, and Reddy himself has recently returned from the ‘rebel’ league.

The BCCI’s chief administrative officer Ratnakar Shetty, when asked about Chemplast’s exclusion, said it was due to logistical problems.

“Earlier, we had planned to keep 16 teams for the corporate trophy, but there were many teams within the public sector and we were finding it difficult to place all of them. So, in the end, we decided to have only 12 teams for the inaugural edition. Therefore some teams lost out but next time the tournament will be for 16 teams,” he said.

But the reasoning appears thin, especially when some of the corporate teams are struggling to field a full-fledged side as per the eligibility criteria. According to the letter sent by BCCI joint secretary Sanjay Jagdale, “Only permanent employees of the organisation are eligible, and the list has to be submitted to the board office by 31st July. Guest players are not allowed and the team needs to have a minimum of four first-class players, but two scholarships for under-19 players are allowed.”

Cricketers are usually hired on contract by corporate teams ahead of big tournaments and then released immediately. According to sources, a couple of teams are having second thoughts because of the clause, and the board is reconsidering the issue.

Meanwhile, Abhay Sharma, the Railways coach, said he was disappointed that his team were not getting a chance. “We recruit so many cricketers every year at various levels. It’s disappointing that we aren’t part of the corporate tournament which is mooted to help create more employment avenues,” he said.

... contd.