The central contracts of the Indian cricketers were finally cleared by the BCCI at the Special General Meeting (SGM) here today, ending a period of uncertainty ahead of their long tour of the UK. The Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators (COA) had announced the revised players' contracts on March 7 but BCCI acting secretary Amitabh Choudhary had refused to sign them saying it needed the General Body's approval which came through in the meeting attended by representatives of 28 state associations.

Today's SGM did not have the required go-ahead from the COA and it remains to be seen what the court-appointed panel makes of the resolutions adopted in the meeting. "Despite doubts, the SGM has taken place. All resolutions have been passed by the General Body unanimously," said Choudhary. One thing for certain is that players will finally be paid ahead of the UK tour, for which they leave tonight.