The reason for their withdrawal is due to the presence of an Indian Cricket League (ICL) player in the exhibition match which is being held before India's 20-20 international against New Zealand later in the day. Although the release does not mention the name of the ICL player, it is learnt that it is Hamish Marshall, who played for the Bengal team in the ICL last year.

The BCCI has barred all its players not to participate in any match which features players from the rebel ICL. Unlike India, the New Zealand board allows ICL players to be part of domestic cricket action.

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However, when MiD DAY spoke to ICL executive board member Kiran More last night, he said that Marshall was no longer an ICL player. This should have cleared the way for Tendulkar and Karthik's participation but obviously the team management which former BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah is part of as manager, don't want to take any chances and upset the BCCI bosses.