Click to play videoNew Delhi: Indian cricketers have refused to sign World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code but they are legally bound to submit to dope test by the national body.
The cricketers are legally obliged to take dope tests because Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has agreed to National Anti Doping Agency (NADA) code.
So is the BCCI's stand on the WADA code pure bravado and has the BCCI shot itself in the foot by ignoring doping control?
Sources in NADA have told the CNN-IBN that under law the BCCI has agreed to the country's anti-doping code.
NADA sent letters to the BCCI and other sports federations a year back with the proposed national code. When some of the federations did not respond the notices were published in leading newspapers.
A final notice was issued on September 15, 2008, telling federations to respond or their silence would be taken as assent.
The BCCI did not reply and an official government gazette then enforced the NADA code in December 2008 bringing the Indian cricket board under NADA jurisdiction.
CNN-IBN contacted BCCI Administrative Officer Ratnakar Shetty but he declined to comment.
Media Committee Chairman Rajiv Shukla did not respond specifically to queries on the NADA issue but reiterated the by now well known official stand.
"During the game, it (doping tests) is fine. India play 265 days a year and during that period we are available and our players are available. But when they are not playing, giving details about their whereabouts is not practical," said Shukla.
So can NADA today test Indian cricketers even though they have not signed up with WADA?
Lawyer Sushil Salwan who has defended many doping accused in court said that NADA was authorised to do so.
"It is important not only for them and their places, but also for the country, which has committed to the international World Anti Doping Agency that every player and every sportsperson is going to respect the law pertaining to the anti-doping agency. So once that commitment has been made by the nation, what is the BCCI," said Salwan.
The BCCI, it seems, has gone into this fight with complete lack of knowledge of anti-doping procedure. Their arguments could even fall flat in the court of law.
Things do not look easy for BCCI that has had its way in the past.
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