Shiv Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray has reiterated his party would not allow Australian cricketers to play in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL). He said the IPL organisers should be ashamed for inviting Australians to play here when Indians were being attacked in that country.

Referring to party supremo Bal Thackeray’s statement last week, Uddhav Thackeray said the party will abide by his directives and not allow Australian cricketers to play in the IPL. Uddhav was speaking at Shanmukhanand Hall at a party programme to celebrate Bal Thackeray’s 84th birthday on Saturday.

In a statement in the party mouthpiece Saamna on January 13, Bal Thackeray warned that his party would not permit Australian cricketers to play in the city and the state and also rebuked the Indian cricketers for continuing to play with the Australians.

“We shall not allow the Australian team to play in Mumbai and Maharashtra till the attacks on Indians in their land are stopped,” he said.