The Sahara-BCCI rift seems to be heading towards a resolve after the president of the Indian cricket board, N.Srinivasan on Monday indicated that the differences between the parties can be sorted.
"We are ready to meet and sort out the matter. We have no problems with that," admitted Srinivasan to Times Now.
"We do appreciate what Sahara has done in last 12 years. They might have felt aggrieved and did not get what they wanted from the IPL. We have had a good relationship and thus we should sort out the issues," he added.
Srinivasan reiterated that the BCCI in fact was 'open to dialogue' to address the issues forcing the Sahara Group to pull out.
"Personally yes. I am open to dialogue and BCCI is open to dialogue. We recognise that there were grievances on their part but there was no reason to break (the relationship) suddenly," he stated.
"It has been an up and down relationship but when we meet I hope most of the issues will be resolved. There is an opportunity to sit across the table with Sahara. All issues will be discussed but it will be premature to speak about the issues now."
Srinivasan admitted that he was surprised at Sahara's decision to snap the sponsorship ties with the Indian cricket team.
"Yes, I was surprised when I came to know (about Sahara ending sponsorship). There was a brief conversation the night before the auction.
"He (Subrata Roy) expressed that he has been hurt. It was a bit late in the evening and I did not expect they would pull out the next morning," said Srinivasan.
The Sahara Group was particularly miffed at BCCI's refusal to let the Pune Warriors make special amends in the wake of Yuvraj Singh's unavailability.
The corporate giants requested the board an additional $ 1.8 million (Rs 8.8 crore) (the price of their marquee player Yuvraj Singh) allowance so as to add an extra player to their outfit. But the BCCI failed to budge.
"Decisions related to IPL are taken by the Governing Council. Auction is over now. We can't pre-judge what issues BCCI and Sahara will discuss. There should be an element of secrecy in that.
"We should sit down and see how things can be sorted out. Yuvraj is not well and we wish that he not only recovers fully but also plays cricket again." said Srinivasan.