Bindra slams 'unprofessional' Indian board

Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) president I S Bindra today lamented that the Indian cricket board (BCCI) was not "aggresively marketing" the sport at the domestic level, and added that a state association has shown if there is the will, an event like the forthcoming Challenger Trophy too can become as popular as one-day internationals.

Slamming the BCCI, Bindra said it was only interested in making money and not promoting cricket at domestic level, which he claimed holds as much market potential as that of the ODIs. He explained that unlike the PCA, which he claimed was being run in a "thoroughly professional manner", the Indian board "is not being run in a professional way".

Referring to the Challenger Trophy limited-overs series, to be played in Mohali from October 10-13 between India, India A and India B, Bindra, a former BCCI chief, told reporters: "We promise it will be as big an event as an ODI played between India and Pakistan".

He continued that it was the first time TV rights of a cricketing event had been sold in Canada. "Zee and ten channels including Zee Sports, Zee UK, Ten Sports, ATN Canada, Direct TV-USA will beam live pictures of the Trophy. For the first time, a cricket event is being covered ball to ball worldwide on internet and mobile handsets.

"We are very close to making as much money as PCA makes during a ODI which is played here. "