Port of Spain (Trinidad), Jun 7 (IANS/CMC): Cricket authorities in India have rejected a request from the organisers of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) for Indian players to participate in the inaugural tournament carded to begin next month in Barbados.

Trinidad and Tobago Guardian newspaper has reported that the CPL organisers were turned down after making a trip to India to meet officials of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

CPL officials showcased their plan and sought permission from the world’s wealthiest cricket board but they came up with nothing, the Guardian reported.

Reports suggest that the BCCI may be concerned about safeguarding investors as well as competition to the Indian Premier League (IPL).

The absence of Indian players in the CPL is seen as a blow since they are regarded among the biggest crowd pullers in world cricket.

However, CPL has been able to attract players from major cricketing countries like Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Pakistan.

The CPL starts July 30 in Barbados and concludes Aug 24 in Trinidad.