The Sahara Pune Warriors in all likelihood will have to settle with existing rule of having four overseas cricketers in their playing XI instead of their demand of an additional foreign player for the fifth edition of Indian Premier League.
"The IPL Governing Council has made it clear that Pune Warriors' demand can be considered if all the other franchises agree in-principle. As of now atleast two franchises are there who may not give their consent and Warriors will then have to play with four overseas players. The BCCI can then hardly do anything in this regard," a senior BCCI official preferring anonymity said on Thursday.
The last date for submitting the teams to GC is February 29 which is six days from now.
"Even if Warriors manage to get consent from eight other franchises, the GC would refer the matter to Working Committee who would then have to ratify it. It might not be possible to do it within the existing time-frame," he added. Meanwhile, Warriors have recruited West Indies all-rounder Marlon Samuels and Railways' seamer Krishna Kant Upadhyay in their line-up.
The Sahara Group owned franchise are also likely to get a replacement for injured Aussie all-rounder Mitchell Marsh.