Sahara today ended its 11-year-old sponsorship of the Indian cricket team and also gave up its ownership of Pune Warriors, saying that some of its genuine grievances were ignored by the BCCI.

"We understand that Sahara Adventure Sports Limited has issued a statement in which it indicates an intention to withdraw from its involvement in Indian cricket, including as regards the Indian Premier League. We intend to contact Sahara Adventure Sports Limited as soon as practicable to clarify its intentions," BCCI Secretary Sanjay Jagdale said in a statement.

"If we understand Sahara Adventure Sports Limited's statement, it intends not to participate in the 2012 IPL Auction or in the 2012 IPL Season," the statement added.

Sahara had requested that since its marquee player Yuvraj Singh would not be able to play the IPL due to a lung tumour, its purse for today's players auction be increased.

"During the last few days Sahara Adventure Sports Limited has requested that IPL vary its Player Regulations by allowing it to increase its Auction Purse from USD 1.6m to USD 3.4m in light of Yuvraj Singh's unfortunate illness.