In an unprecedented revolt against the Board of Control for Cricket in India's policy to ban national selectors from writing columns, three selectors threatened to quit on Monday if the gag order is persisted with.
The selectors said they will be forced to relinquish their posts if the BCCI does not lift the ban, thus giving a new twist to the ongoing tussle between the BCCI administrators and selectors.
"We are not servants, we cannot be treated in such a way. If such a gag order continues, some of us may step down", one of the selectors said on condition of anonymity.
He said chief selector Dilip Vengsarkar, who has been writing newspaper columns for nearly 15 years, was "extremely angry" with the gag order and two of his colleagues also shared his views.
"The selectors have been made to look like jokers. While we have been banned from interacting with the media, the BCCI officials have been selectively leaking news. We cannot compromise with our dignity," he added.
While the selectors have taken a tough stand, the BCCI said it is not aware of any such development.
"The BCCI has not received any communication from the selectors in this regard. We are not aware that they have threatened to quit", BCCI vice-president Rajiv Shukla said.
Another BCCI source said Vengsarkar had sought special permission from the BCCI to continue writing columns.
"We are considering his request, but no decision has been taken as yet," the source said.
Earlier on Monday, BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah said a letter has been sent to the selectors reminding them about the ban on writing newspaper columns.
