Jadeja, Chopra withdraw

The newly launched American ProCricket (APC) suffered a setback when three Indian cricketers — Ajay Jadeja, Nikhil Chopra and Rahul Sanghvi — withdrew from the League without playing a single match. The trio took the decision, according to the Commissioner of APC Kalpesh Patel, after speaking to the BCCI secretary SK Nair.

Talking to The Indian Express Patel said that ‘‘the decision was taken out of fear.’’ Though Nair was not available for comments today the BCCI secretary had earlier stated that ‘‘players who had sought permission to play in US were adviced to keep away.’’

The trio, who took part in an ‘exhibition-cum-opening’ game, will be staying in US and return home only after the event ends

It was also learnt that Jadeja and Chopra after the exhibition game on Friday ‘apologised’ to the crowd for their unavailability in the rest of the games. The APC meanwhile will feature among others former West Indies batsman Larry Gomes, who had retired from the game some 17 years back. Others who played the opening weekend also included West Indians Wavell Hinds, Darren Ganga, Mervyn Dillon and former Aussie Test bowler Colin Miller.