WADA to conduct dope tests on IPL players

New Delhi, May 17 (UNI) A team from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has arrived in India to conduct random tests on cricketers playing in the IPL.

''There are surprise dope tests to begin today. The (WADA) team from Sweden has already come down,'' Indian Premier League (IPL) Chairman and Commissioner Lalit Modi told mediapersons today.

''We don't know which team will be subjected to the tests first or which player's samples would be taken first.'' ''As per the ICC rules, the WADA team is here and the dope tests will start immediately,'' he added.

The arrival of the WADA team may come as a worrisome development for Rajasthan Royals skipper Shane Warne and Kolkata Knight Riders' pace spearhead Shoaib Akhtar. Both were banned for using performance enhancing drugs in the past.

According to media reports, a large number of syringes have been found in Akhtar's baggage.

When questioned on the matter, Modi denied the reports.

''I have verified the reports, no such things were found,'' he clarified.

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