MUMBAI: Star has expressed displeasure on Virat Kohli’s absence from the Asia Cup and had asked Asian Cricket Council (ACC) to get in touch with the BCCI, according to a report by Press Trust of India.

Star, in an email to ACC game development manager Thusith Perera, stated how Kohli's absence will impact the financial aspect of the coverage.

"In our view, the announcement of the absence of one of world's best batsmen from the Asia Cup, only 15 days before the commencement of the Asia Cup, is a severe dent to us (event broadcaster) and will severely impact our ability to monetise and generate revenue for the tournament," the email stated.

The broadcaster had asked ACC to get in touch with BCCI as it was clear that MRA (Media Rights Agreement) obligations required ACC to ensure best national teams are playing the tournament.

The BCCI, however, in a sharp reply to ACC has made it clear that neither it nor broadcasters have any say in national team selection matters.

However, BCCI made it clear that it is solely the parent body's prerogative to choose the national team and no outside interference would be allowed.

"Please note that selection of best available team for participation in a tournament is sole prerogative of BCCI," BCCI CEO Rahul Johri replied to Perera.

"It is not open for ACC or its broadcaster to insist on selection of any particular player and/or to question the expertise of any selection committee as to which is the best available team for particular tournament," Johri further wrote. 

Kohli, inarguably the biggest draw in world cricket, was rested after an 84-day tour of England where he emerged as top run-scorer with 593 runs in five Tests.

Star India acquired the global media rights for Asia Cup from 2016 to 2023 in December 2015.