Thackeray may allow Oz cricketers in IPL

After Shiv Sena vowed not to allow Australian cricketers to play in IPL competition, indications emerged on Tuesday that the party may do a U-turn and give the green signal to them play in the tournament.

After Shiv Sena vowed not to allow Australian cricketers to play in IPL competition, indications emerged on Tuesday that the party may do a U-turn and give the green signal to them play in the tournament.

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Though no Sena leader has come on record to announce the U-turn of the saffron outfit, a senior Sena leader told PTI here this evening that Sena supremo Bal Thackeray would soon come out with a statement, explaining his 'final stand' on the issue.

"Balasaheb will come out with a statement on the issue...wait for some time," the Sena leader said.

In a video message at a meeting of party workers in suburban Bandra on Monday, Thackeray had said he would not permit Australian cricketers to set foot on Indian soil, adding "Indians are being attacked in Australia. So, I said we will not allow Australians to play in our country."

However, there were reports that the 84-year-old Sena chief's message may have been recorded prior to his February 7 meeting with NCP chief Sharad Pawar.

Manohar had told reporters after that meeting that Thackeray would announce his decision after watching a BCCI presentation on the issue.