India to bid for 2011 World Cup

The World Cup: could be returning to the sub continent in 2011 © Getty Images

India is planning a bid to stage the 2011 World Cup according to Ranbir Mahendra, the president of the Indian board.

"We are serious about holding the 2011 World Cup," Mahendra told Reuters. But he said there had been no discussions on whether it would be a joint bid with Pakistan or Sri Lanka. "We have plenty of time to decide those things."

India is set to stage the 2006 Champions Trophy, next September, after the government last week granted tax exemption to the proceeds from the biennial event, second in importance only to the World Cup.

India has jointly staged two World Cups, with Pakistan in 1987 and with Sri Lanka and Pakistan in 1996. India will face opposition from Australia and New Zealand, who have expressed an interesting in a joint bid, similar to the 1992 tournment.