Reports: Sachin Tendulkar to not participate in Road Safety World Series 2022 amid pending payment

In what can be called a major development, Sachin Tendulkar won’t participate in the second edition of the Road Safety World Series. Tendulkar led India Legends to glory in the inaugural season and fans were keen to see him back in action in the 2022 edition. However, the Indian cricket legend has dissociated himself from the project as he reportedly didn’t receive full payment of the season.

As per several reports in Bangladesh media, many prominent former players from the country, including Khaled Mahmud, Khaled Mashud, Mehrab Hossain, Rajin Saleh, Hannan Sarkar, and Nafees Iqbal, who participated in the first edition, haven’t been paid any money so far. It must be noted that Tendulkar was also the brand ambassador of the tournament’s first edition. At the same time, Sunil Gavaskar was the commissioner of the event.

Road Safety World Series 2022 to be played in March

“Sachin will not be a part of RSWS this season. The tournament is marked from March 1-19 in the UAE but Sachin will not be a part of this tournament in any form,” a source close to developments was quoted as saying by the Times of India. The source also confirmed that Sachin and many other players who took part in the event haven’t received full payment.

“Yes, Sachin is among many cricketers who took part in the tournament, who haven’t been paid by the organisers. And one needs to get in touch with a Ravi Gaikwad, who was the premier organizer,” the source added further.

The teams participating in the tournament were managed by a company called Second Innings Sports and Entertainment. Speaking of the committed payment structure 10 per cent was given to every player upon signing, another 40 per cent was supposed to be paid by February 25, 2021, and remaining 50 per cent by March 31, 2021.

However, as the payments haven’t been completed, dark clouds are looming over the fate of the tournament. Alongside Tendulkar, the likes of Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh and Brian Lara also participated in the competition. Hence, it remains to be seen if these names will feature in this year’s event or not.