There is no question of gagging players: Niranjan Shah

Kolkata, May 10 (UNI) BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah today clarified that there was no question of ''gagging'' any player, on the contrary the Board wanted absolute transperancy with the cricketers.

Yesterday after Virender Sehwag's comments on burnout issue and Saurav Ganguly were published, Mr Shah reportedly gave a stern verbal warning to team India vice-captain on the issue.

While this was being interpreted as BCCI's policy of ''gagging'' the players, Mr Shah told UNI over phone from Rajkot, ''There is no question of gagging. The Board wants absolute transperancy between the players and the parent body.'' ''I have only asked Sehwag not to touch upon issues that are unnecessary. Sewhag is most free to talk about cricket, about himself, there is no bar on that. The players are not allowed to talk while on tour as per the Board's policy but back home you will find players giving more interviews than ever,'' he said.

Mr Shah also said that Sehwag fully agreed with his point of view and there was not a touch of ill feeling.

Mr Shah further said, ''Media is always after something and some players are only falling prey.'' ''A few days ago he only said that Saurav was forgotten and yesterday he said Saurav is missed. I guess in both the cases his remark were twisted,'' Mr Shah said.

Talking on the burnout issue he said, ''Why should anyone be stopped from talking on burnout issue. We have commitments with other Boards and ICC's future tours programme so we cannot do anything about the schedule. If Sehwag needs rest he is most welcome to do so but we cannot go back on our obligations,'' he said.

Mr Shah also added that he expected the players to approach the Board directly on any issue as the Board was always willing to hear them and work in the players' best interest.

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