Regular dope tests to be conducted by ICC during World T20

Reports suggest that regular and random dope tests will be conducted by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in the duration of the World T20 as announced by tournament director MV Sridhar.

“The random dope tests have been a part of ICC events for a long time. Random dope tests are performed at all ICC events and it is not a new phenomenon,” Tournament Director M V Sridhar said.

Sridhar also went on to clarify that the recent drug scandals around the world have absolutely no connection with the regular dope tests to be conducted at the World T20 2016. While Maria Sharapova has become the latest to testify the use of banned substances in her trophy-laden career. Sridhar also reiterated that the regular drug tests have been a regular practice since the 2011 World Cup.

“I have never said that it is being done because of drug test failures as this has been a practice for a long time,” Sridhar insisted.

“ICC events have had dope tests since 2011. They (other sports) have their own anti-doping agency which performs as ICC is not part of WADA and cricketers have not signed any whereabouts clause.

“For the record, ICC had performed random dope tests at 2011 World Cup, T20 editions in 2012 and 2014. There are times when these dope tests are done during training sessions,” Sridhar added.

Sridhar also added that both the Indian cricket team and the Sri Lankan team had undergone random dope tests during the 2012 edition of the World T20 in Sri Lanka.