Taj television tight-lipped on West Indies tour to Sri Lanka

Taj Television, who own the broadcasting rights for international cricket matches played in Sri Lanka, have decided not to make any comments at this stage on the upcoming Test and one-day triangular series involving hosts Sri Lanka, West Indies and India.

The series has become a somewhat low-key affair after the West Indies board left out such top-class cricketers as Brian Lara, Chris Gayle and Ramnaresh Sarwan because of the latest contract dispute and then named instead a second-string team under the captaincy of Shivnarine Chanderpaul. The team comprises eight players from the West Indies A team who are currently touring Sri Lanka.

Taj's director of sales and marketing, Jude de Vallier, said that this is not the appropriate time to make any comments with regard to the series, but added that they would review the situation and issue a statement if it is necessary. In January, Taj Television, the holding company of the Dubai-based sports broadcaster Ten Sports, signed a US$ 50 million broadcasting rights deal with Sri Lanka Cricket for three years.

But now it seems that the television company is going to make a rather inauspicious start in trying to sell TV rights for the two-Test series and the seven-match one-day triangular tournament. The first Test begins on July 13.