Mumbai: Cricketer Hardik Pandya on Tuesday said that contrary to speculation, the watch in his possession when he arrived from Dubai early on Monday with Team India was worth Rs 1.50 crore, and not Rs 5-crore.

"The cost of the watch is Rs 1.50 crore and not Rs 5 crore as per the rumours floating around on social media," Pandya said.

Issuing a statement after media speculation that his watch worth Rs 5 crore was allegedly seized and he was reportedly detained, Pandya said that, "wrong perceptions have been floating around on social media regarding my declaration to Customs at Mumbai Airport."

The cricketer said that after landing here from Dubai and picking up his luggage, he proceeded to the Mumbai Airport Customs counter to declare the items brought by him and to pay the requisite customs duty.

"I had voluntarily declared all the items that I'd lawfully purchased from Dubai and was ready to pay whatever duties that needed to be paid," said Pandya.

In fact, the Customs Department asked the cricketer for all the purchase documents, which he submitted and now they are doing proper valuation for the duty which he has already confirmed he would pay.

Full Statement of Hardik Pandya:

Early on Monday morning, 15th November, on my arrival from Dubai, after picking up my luggage, I voluntarily went to Mumbai airport customs counter to declare the items brought by me and pay the requisite customs duty. Wrong perceptions have been floating around on social media regarding my declaration to customs at Mumbai airport, and I would like to clarify about what transpired.

I had voluntarily declared all the items that I'd lawfully purchased from Dubai and was ready to pay whatever duties that needed to be paid. As a matter of fact, the customs department had asked for all purchase documents which were submitted; however customs is doing proper valuation for duty which I've already confirmed to pay.

The cost of the watch is approximately Rs. 1.5 crore and not Rs. 5 crore as per the rumours floating around on social media.

I'm a law-abiding citizen of the country and I respect all government agencies. I've received all the cooperation from the Mumbai customs department and I've assured my full cooperation to them and will provide them with whatever legitimate documents they need to get this matter cleared. All allegations against me of crossing any legal boundaries are totally unfounded.

(With IANS inputs)