Malcolm Speed, ICC's chief executive, flew in to India early on Tuesday morning to meet Indian board officials and work out a possible solution to the sponsorship row, which has threatened to reduce the ICC Champions Trophy into a farce. The working committee of the Indian board meets in Bangalore on Tuesday, and if they fail to resolve the crisis, the selectors will then announce a below-strength squad later in the day. The Indian players have meanwhile given a written statement refusing to abide by the ICC contract. Mr Niranjan Shah, the secretary of the Indian board, said: "Everybody has refused to sign." The BCCI had sent documents asking the players to clarify their stand. The players replied to Jagmohan Dalmiya, the president of the BCCI, and also issued a press release which explained their predicament.

"On the one hand, we suffer exposure from the ICC/ BCCI when they allege non-compliance with their obligations. On the other hand, we could face exposure from competitive sponsors who have paid us for the right to exploit our brand and image commercially."

The release also stated that the players first got copies of the contract only during the finals of the NatWest Series, and hence had very little time to discuss it. "We have been landed with this problem in the midst of a tour of England, which is back-to-back with the ICC Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka."

The players also requested the board not to rush into a decision. "As we are approaching a very important Test, we would like to concentrate on our cricket. We had requested Ravi Shastri to be the spokesperson for the players in the squad. We want to play. We are not asking for anything more than what we have been getting."

Dalmiya was sympathetic with the players, but said he would urge them to sign the contract as a one-off measure to end the stalemate. "I have no problems with the players. But my position as the BCCI chief is different. I want to keep the channels of communication between the ICC and the Indian board open. I want to ensure that India is not suspended for non-fulfillment of its commitments."

Meanwhile, the players received complete support from their sponsors and agents. Coca Cola's director of communications told The Times of India: "Our company is committed to upcoming sportspersons and if the ICC stops us from commercials featuring Sehwag (who endorses Coca Cola), we will follow. There will be no change in our financial contract with the player."

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