South African cricketer Wayne Parnell on Monday claimed he and fellow-Pune Warriors team-mate Rahul Sharma are innocent and were "at the wrong place, at the wrong time" after they were detained during a raid on a rave party in suburban Juhu in Mumbai.
Although Parnell admitted that both the players were present at Sunday's party at Oakwood Premier Hotel, he said they were unaware of any drugs being supplied there.
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"Myself and Rahul were invited to someone's birthday. We got there about 5:00 pm in the afternoon and by 7:00 O'clock the police officers were there. Obviously, once we were inside we got caught indoors," he said.
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"It is unfortunate we were there. But at the end of the day, it was just a simple case of being at a wrong place at the wrong time," Parnell said.
"We weren't aware of any drugs there or any rave party. It was out on a pool terrace," he told Times Now.
In their defence, Parnell said both he and Rahul are teetotalers.
"People who know me know that I don't drink or smoke. We both were just drinking water and dancing," he said.
Parnell said they went for the party after being invited by a common friend for a birthday bash.
"We met last year during the IPL. We phone each other and speak to each other regularly. They just said it is one of their friend's birthday, so we just went there to meet them. Because the IPL has finished and all our matches are over, it was the last day to get togeteher. It is unfortunate that this has happened," he said in his defence.
The South African left-arm pacer said as he is not guilty, he preferred to show his face during his arrest.
"I wanna fully co-operate with the investigation. That's why last night I did not cover my face, which would have meant I am guilty," Parnell said.
Parnell also said that he enjoys the full backing of his countrymen and IPL team Pune Warriors in this hour of crisis.
"Everyone who messaged me has supported me. Back home all are pretty confident that I am not guilty.
"The Pune team is also fully supporting us. They know us very well and know that we won't participate in any such thing," he said.
Parnell and Rahul along with 94 others were detained during a raid on a rave party on Sunday night, but were let off on Monday after collection of their blood and urine samples.
