New Delhi: Sports Secretary Radheshyam Jhulaniya on Friday said that the Indian cricket board has agreed to come under the ambit of the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA), ending years of defiance.

Jhulaniya, who met BCCI CEO Rahul Johri here on Friday, said the Board has given in writing that it would adhere to the anti-doping policy of NADA.

"All cricketers will now be tested by NADA," Jhulaniya told PTI.

BCCI to now come under the ambit of NADA (National Anti-Doping Agency). Sports Secretary RS Julaniya says "BCCI does not have discretion to say no. All are same, everyone has to follow the same rules" pic.twitter.com/S2rTQ36KKg — ANI (@ANI) August 9, 2019

"The BCCI raised three issues before us about the quality of the dope testing kits, competence of pathologists and sample collection. "We assured them that whatever facilities they want, we will provide but there will be some charge for it. BCCI is no different from others," he added.

Till date, Sweden-based International Dope Testing Management (IDTM) has been collecting the cricketers' samples and submitting them to the National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL).

"IDTM was an outside agency hired by BCCI to take samples. Now that agency will be NADA. I explained to BCCI you don't have a discretion to abide by law or not. The law applies to everyone equally," Jhulaniya said after the landmark development following a meeting with the BCCI officials.

"Every federation is on the same footing for enforcement of law. You don't have to sign an agreement. We categorically told them no MOU is required as law is applicable to everyone."

The primary concern of the Board was the contentious 'Whereabouts Clause' with regards to Out of Competition Testing, something that all star India players have been wary of as they considered it an invasion of their privacy.

On that, the top sports ministry official said, "Yes, NADA will carry out the test whenever and wherever they want. World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) clause 5.2 gives the authority to the national anti-doping agency to carry all testing in its territory irrespective of the athletes' country.

"All athletes irrespective of their country of origin or country of citizenship come under the jurisdiction of the national anti doping agency, that's the WADA's charter and we are a partner."

The BCCI had been vehemently opposed to signing up with NADA, claiming that it is an autonomous body, not a National Sports Federation and does not rely on government funding. BCCI CEO Rahul Johri too accepted the move, saying the board will follow law of the land and will remain committed to do so.

Rahul Johri, Chief Executive Officer, Board of Control for Cricket in India, on ‘BCCI to now come under the ambit of NADA (National Anti-Doping Agency)’: We have to follow the law of the land & BCCI is committed to follow the law that exists. pic.twitter.com/X0hMOMYcX9 — ANI (@ANI) August 9, 2019

However, the sports ministry has also been steadfast in maintaining that it had to come under the NADA ambit. It recently held back clearances for the tours by South Africa A and women's teams and it was speculated that this was done to pressurise BCCI into accepting anti-doping norms.

"We are for the promotion of sports and sportsperson. We are not against any sports or sportsperson. We said you commit to us in writing that rules and regulation by government of India apply and you will honour that," Jhulaniya said.