Indian news round-up

The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) stated in a press release in Bangalore on Thursday that Indian legspinner Anil Kumble is to lead the Karnataka team for their opening Ranji Trophy fixture against Hyderabad from November 1 to 4 at the KSCA grounds.

The team: Anil Kumble (Captain), B Akhil, Anand Yalvigi, J Arun Kumar, Dodda Ganesh, Javagal Srinath, Mansur Ali Khan, Mithun Beerala, Rowland Barrington, Santosh Vadeyaraj, Sujith Somasundar, Sunil Joshi, VS Thilak Naidu (Wicket Keeper), Venkatesh Prasad and Vijay R Bharadwaj. Coach: SMH Kirmani and Manager: J Abhiram.

Noted Marathi cricket writer and commentator Bal J Pandit has been elected the president of the Maharashtra Cricket Association. He replaces Nanasaheb Tulpule who passed away recently.

The Times of India reported that during the 60th annual general meeting of the MCA, the association also elected Narayan Thakar and Ashok Vashi as vice-presidents. Anant Mate will continue to be secretary.

A former Ranji Trophy player, Pandit has earlier served the MCA in the capacity of secretary for two terms in the 80's and also as selector from l965 to 1975 and 1987 to 1989.

The secretary of the Goa Cricket Association (GCA), Vinod Phadke, said on Wednesday that the former Indian Test batsman Pravin Amre has been named captain of the state Ranji Trophy team for the forthcoming 2000-2001 season.

Speaking to Press Trust of India (PTI), Phadke said that the final team for Goa's opening match of the competition against Tamil Nadu from November 1 to 4, will be announced on October 28.

The agency also reported that apart from Amre, Tamil Nadu's Tanvir Jabbar and Satyajit Medappa are the other two outstation players who will turn out for Goa this season. Amre will be the fourth outstation player, after Roger Binny, Sanju Mudkavi and VB Chandrashekhar, to lead Goa in the Ranji Trophy.

Press Trust of India (PTI) reported on Wednesday that India's latest pace recruit Zaheer Khan has been appointed as sports officer by India's leading public sector undertaking, Indian Oil Corporation.

The agency said that apart from Zaheer Khan, Indian Oil had earlier recruited Mumbai opener Wasim Jaffer among its ranks. The agency said that other leading sports persons employed with Indian Oil include table tennis stars Chetan Baboor, S Raman and Niyati Shah, ace shuttler P Gopichand, former national tennis champion Asif Ismail, chess player D V Prasad and shooter Manavjit Singh.