BANGALORE: As the large media contingent was gathering near the entrance of the venue of the IPL 5 auctions, Pune warriors franchisee Sushantho Roy, Director Abhijit Sarkar and former India skipper Sourav Ganguly got into the cars and drove off. Minutes later, a four-page press note was distributed to the media. The note made the shocking statement that Sahara Pune Warriors were pulling out of the IPL and sponsorship of the Indian cricket team as well.
Sahara, has been the team sponsor for 11 years, had signed a renewed agreement with the BCCI on July 1, 2010 till December 31, 2013. They were paying Rs 3.34 crore per Test match, One-Day international and Twenty20 International under the new terms.