South African Wayne Parnell and spinner Rahul Sharma, the two IPL cricketers who were among those detained by the police at a rave party in Mumbai, on Monday claimed innocence even as BCCI refused to comment or take any action over the incident till investigations are over.
The BCCI and IPL took note of the media reports regarding Parnell and Sharma's detention last night after a raid at the the Oakwood Premier Hotel at Juhu but said it will not make any statements till the results of the investigation are out.
"The BCCI-IPL is aware of media reports regarding two cricketers, Wayne Parnell and Rahul Sharma, and a party in a Mumbai hotel on Sunday evening," BCCI Secretary Sanjay Jagdale said in a media release.
"There will be no further comment or action by BCCI-IPL until the results of the investigation by the concerned authorities into the above mentioned situation are known," he added.
Both the cricketers, who play for Pune Warriors in the IPL, admitted being present at the party but said they had gone to attend a birthday celebration and were unaware that a rave party was going on there.
Sharma went to the extent of saying that he would quit cricket if his blood test returns positive for drugs.
"I was invited to a birthday party. Wayne Parnell was with me, I did not know that there was a rave party at the hotel," Sharma said.
"I know I am innocent, if the reports (of blood tests) are positive, I will leave cricket. Those who know me, including my team-mates, know that I have never touched Champagne after victories. I belong to a simple family and have not even had a beer in my life, where does the question of attending a rave party arise?" Sharma asked.
"We have cooperated with the police and have even given medical tests. I have also told everything to the team management and things would be clear once the medical report comes out," said the leg-spinner.
The player's blood test report is expected in the next couple of days.
Parnell, the South African speedster, said that he and Sharma were unaware of any drugs being supplied at the party last night.
"Myself and Rahul were invited to someone's birthday. We got there about 5:00pm in the afternoon and by 7:00 O'clock the police officers were there. Obviously, once we were inside we got caught indoors," he said.
"We weren't aware of any drugs there or any rave party. It is unfortunate we were there. But at the end of the day, it was just a simple case of being at a wrong place at the wrong time," Parnell said.
"People who know me know that I don't drink or smoke. We both were just drinking water and dancing," said the South African.
The BCCI also said that both the players would remain contracted with their IPL team Pune Warriors.
"Whilst the players had completed their commitments for the 2012 IPL season, they remain contracted to Pune Warriors India and the IPL," Jagdale said.
Parnell and Rahul along with 94 others were detained during a raid on a rave party in Mumbai last night, but were let off today after collection of their blood and urine samples.
