Women's cricket team could have won gold at Asiad: Diana Edulji

While the Board of Control for Cricket in India's decision to not send the men's team to the Asian Games has surprised many, Diana Edulji is even more surprised with the Board not sending a women's team considering that it was certain to win a Gold Medal.

"Personally, it is a big disappointment that the team won't be going. We would have been favourites to win the gold considering the competition at the Games," the former India skipper said.

In the recently-concluded World Twenty20 in the West Indies, India lost to Australia in the semi-final. They were the only Asian team to make the last four and favourites to finish on top at the Asian Games.

"Also, as a player, I have always wanted to represent India at the Asian Games or the Commonwealth games. It is a great honour and very disappointing that the current team will be missing out on it," Edulji, a formidable all-rounder during her time, said.

Edulji, who is a member of the BCCI's Women's Committee, also does not know why the Board decided not to send teams for the Games.

"The committee is still to meet and we will be having a meeting shortly. As of now, I don't know why the women's team will not be participating. I don't think we are playing any tournament at the same time too. We will have a clearer picture only after the meeting," former India skipper Edulji said.

The Board's decision has come under criticism from all quarters with many calling the BCCI greedy for choosing money by having a bi-lateral series and not sending the team for the Games where it had a chance of winning a medal.

"I don't know what the reason behind not sending the team is. But I am sure the top brass of the BCCI have taken this decision after a lot of thought. There are a lot of things involved and even the IOA (India Olympic Association) has been involved. So, a decision would have been taken only after considering every aspect," Edulji said.

BCCI CAO, Ratnakar Shetty, said the decision was a policy adopted by the Board.

"There have been many speculations about why the team is not going for the Asian Games. But we have not given any specific reason. Not sending the men's and the women's team is a policy matter," Shetty said.