COLOMBO/NEW DELHI, April 21 (PTI): The possibility of a bitter showdown between the BCCI and Sri Lanka Cricket appears to have been averted with the island nation�s Government hinting that the deadline for its players� return from the IPL could be extended by a few days.
After weeks of wrangling over top Sri Lankan players� return from the IPL for their tour of England starting May 10, a compromise appears to be in sight with Lankan Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage saying that they might be allowed to stay beyond the original May 5 deadline.
�I have received several e-mails from the BCCI and I will meet the selection committee and the SLC officials to discuss the matter. We might extend the May 5 deadline,� Aluthgamage said.
�The players have to leave for England on May 10 and we might consider postponing that too. We don�t want to embarrass the BCCI, we have good relations with India and we want to maintain this. We are trying to work out new dates for the players,� he added.
Eleven Sri Lankan players, including Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene who are captaining their respective franchises, are currently in action in the cash-rich IPL.
Their early return would adversely impact their respective teams� combinations as the franchises were under the impression that the players would be available till May 21.
But Aluthgamage claimed the BCCI was well aware of the Lankan players� international commitments.
