The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has felt unhappy on the Asia Cup broadcaster Star Sports after they have questioned on the Indian skipper Virat Kohli’s absence in the tournament.

Due to the busy schedule in recent cricket, BCCI decided to provide a break to the Indian skipper Virat Kohli from the 2018 Asia Cup tournament.

Earlier, Star sent a mail to the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) official Thusith Perera by pointing out that the ACC would ensure the best available teams from each of the participating nations for the Asia Cup tournament.

According to the Hindustan Times, Star wrote, “We would like to bring to your notice that our media rights agreement dated June 29, 2017 (the “MRA”) with the Asian Cricket Council (the “ACC”) requires that the ACC ensures that the best available teams from each of the participating nations including India should form a part of the Asia Cup. Virat Kohli has been the most prolific run scorer in world cricket in the recent past. His presence in the Indian team and his aggressive captaincy has a dramatic impact on the outcome of each event.

“In our view, this announcement about the absence of one of the world’s best batsmen from this edition of the Asia Cup, only 15 days before the commencement of the Asia Cup, is a serious dent to us (the event broadcaster) and will severely impact our ability to monetize and generate revenues from the tournament.”

Now, BCCI has replied to the ACC official Perera through a mail where it has claimed that ACC or broadcaster can’t insist or question on the selection process.

BCCI CEO Rahul Johri wrote according to the Hindustan Times, “Kindly note that the team selected by BCCI selection committee (an expert body comprising of former cricketers) to participate in the Asia Cup as announced on 1 September 2018 is the best available team.

“Please also take note that selection of the best available team for participation in a tournament is the sole prerogative of the selection committee of BCCI. It is not open for Asian Cricket Council or its broadcaster to insist on selection of any particular player and/or to question the expert opinion of the selection committee as to which is the best available team for a particular tournament. Needless to add, this email is being issued without prejudice to BCCI’s rights and contentions in law, all of which are expressly reserved.”