India's cricketers have launched a players' association to safeguard their interests, in the aftermath of the sponsorship dispute that threatened to disrupt the Champions Trophy last month. "The objective is to represent all players and put forward their points of view," said Arun Lal, the newly-appointed secretary of the Indian Cricket Players Association (ICPA). "The World Cup is not very far off and the contract issue would have an impact on the Indian cricketers."

Lal said the aim was not to have a confrontation with the authorities but to co-operate with them. "We want to assist the Indian Cricket Board in whatever way possible," he said. "We complement each other and will have a two-way dialogue."

The stand-off between India's players and the board came to a head in Sri Lanka last month, when the sponsorship interests of several players were compromised by a separate deal struck by ICC.

"I think the Indian Board is looking at it with an open mind and their response has been positive," said Lal. "Cricketers all over the world feel the need for an association and there is wide acceptance to such associations."

The ICPA will aim to help all past and present Indian cricketers. "We are planning to have pension and insurance schemes for cricketers as well as schemes for widows of cricketers. I think we can do a lot of good work."

Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi, the former Indian captain, will be the first president of the association. The other founding members are Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, Anil Kumble and Ravi Shastri, who felt an association was badly needed.

"The recent controversy was because of lack of communication between players and the board," said Shastri. "We want to resolve all issues including the sponsorship agreement for the World Cup."

Not everyone was so pleased about the creation of the association, however, with many fans fearing a politicisation of the game.

© Wisden CricInfo Ltd