Tired player could have opted out of World T20: BCCI

New Delhi:

Reacting to coach Gary Kirsten's comments that the IPL was one of the reasons for India's early exit from the T20 World Cup, the BCCI on Tuesday said it had not forced anyone to play in the IPL and players were free to ask for rest if they feel fatigued.

The BCCI said players could opt out of any tournament if they were tired or were not fit.

"BCCI has made it clear that whenever a player feels he is fatigued, he can always let it be known to the board and he will be given rest. After rest and if he is fit, he can be considered for selection again," BCCI Media and Finance committee chairman Rajiv Shukla said.

"We are not forcing any player to play any series or tournament," he added.

Asked pointedly on Kirsten's comments that the Indian players lacked intensity after playing in the IPL which could be a reason for their early ouster from the World Twenty20, Shukla said, "these are all suggestions made for the improvement of the game in the country. The president (Shashank Manohar) himself is now in London and he will look into it".