Pawar to boycott IPL opening day

Fri, Mar 12 2010 (IndiaVision) - The Sharad Pawar-led Mumbai Cricket Association has decided to boycott the opening ceremony and the first match of the IPL that is scheduled in Mumbai on March 12. The boycott will happen because the MCA is angry at being marginalized by the IPL, and particularly its boss Lalit Modi.

MCA Joint Secretary Lalchand Rajput said: "The MCA's managing committee met yesterday and decided to boycott the IPL opener as we had not received any invitation to attend it. The invites came around 7 pm after they learned of our decision and we are not going to attend it."

Rajput added that the committee was upset at being ignored and furious that past Test cricketers too have not been given any invites to attend the IPL.

"Traditionally all Test cricketers are provided match tickets to attend international matches in Mumbai. Last time, we received 20 per cent of the seating capacity when the matches were held in the Wankhede Stadium, which is now under renovation. We want to see what happens when the IPL returns to our venue," he said.

While Sharad Pawar was likely to have received an invitation in his personal capacity, as the president of the MCA, he has decided to show solidarity with the club and will also boycott the event.

It is learnt that Rajput had spoken to Pawar and apprised him of the situation. Rajput also declared that the second match of the IPL scheduled on the 13th between the Mumbai Indians and the Rajasthan Royals at Mumbai, would also be boycotted.