Indian news round-up

Ajay Sharma denies allegations

Delhi captain Ajay Sharma announced on Thursday in London that he was innocent and he had nothing to do with the ongoing match fixing scandal as reported by an Indian magazine. Ajay Sharma, a former Indian cricketer, was reacting to a Delhi-based publication's detailed reports of the calls Sharma allegedly made to former skipper Mohammed Azharuddin during the recent South African tour of India. The magazine had also alleged that he may have connections with bookies.

Speaking to an Indian web site from Lancashire, Sharma said ``I am prepared to declare my assets and stand any scrutiny to clear my name,'' and added "I have come to England to play professional cricket contrary to the report that I am running away from the law.

"I only have one flat at Vasant Kunj in Delhi and am a regular income tax payee as a deputy manager in the Central Warehousing Commission. My friendship with Azhar dates back to 1987. We are thick pals. We used to share rooms. I gave him a cricket bat in 1992 when he had a lean patch. Soon after, he came back with a big 100 in the Calcutta Test. Azhar is very superstitious and since then he insists that I should get bats for him. Is it a crime to get along with ex-colleagues?" he asked.

Gaekwad angered over declaring assets

Former India coach Anshuman Gaekwad on Thursday reacted angrily to suggestions that cricketers and managers should declare their assets to prove their honesty. Gaekwad was in the Indian capital to attend a meeting with the Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, in connection with the matchfixing controversy.

``It is absurd. Why should we have to declare our assets when we are already paying taxes? If I am paying my taxes and can afford ten houses with my income, I have the right to own them. It is accountable and it is my personal belonging. Why should I tell the world what I own? How does it concern anyone whether I have five wives or ten wives and 20 children?'' Gaekwad asked.

Gaekwad said ``besides, do you think anyone with unaccounted wealth is going to declare it as his assets? This is no way to solve the problem which we are facing currently.''

Azhar questioned over trader's murder

Indian batsman Mohd Azharuddin was questioned over the phone on Thursday by the Mumbai police in connection with the murder of a diamond trader Ashraf Patel.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone II) Jai Jeet Singh said that Patel was shot dead at Agripada in Mumbai on Monday by three unidentified gunmen. Hours before his death he had lunch with actor Sanjay Dutt and two days before that, he was seen in the company of Azharuddin.

Singh said that while Azharuddin has already been questioned once on the telephone, he will be questioned in person later in the week. Patel was the man responsible for getting the former captain the lucrative Tissot modelling contract during the 1999 World Cup.

At present the Mumbai police are not ruling out the possibility that Patel, who had links with the bookie network in Dubai and Sharjah, might have been killed over some match-fixing controversy. ``Patel was definitely a part of the match-fixing deals,'' said Singh.

Ganguly's poor form continues

Indian captain Sourav Ganguly failed to open his account even as Lancashire managed to score 95 runs for the loss of three wickets on the second day of the four day county match against Kent at Canterbury on Thursday.

After being put in to bat Lancashire started with a hiccup, losing Micheal Atherton (17) to Martin McCague. Mark Ealham then scalped two quick wickets of Scuderi (9) and Ganguly (0), both falling leg before to the bowler. But Andrew Flintoff (34) and Chilton (33) added 54 for the unbroken fourth wicket.

In another match, Derbyshire proceeded to 227 for 6 against Leicestershire, with the help of useful knocks from Micheal di Venuto (70) and R Bailey (64). Indian leg-spinner Anil Kumble was economical while sending down 25 overs, conceding only 49 runs and picked up the wicket of SP Titchard (8).

Karnataka under-19 team make winning start

The Karnataka under-19 team made a winning start to their tour of Sri Lanka when they defeated the Sri Lanka Schools Combined Under-19 side by 94 u runs in a two day game at the De Zoyasa stadium in Moratuwa on Thursday.

The game was played on 70 overs a side. The visiting team were all out for 237 in 66 overs on Wednesday. The Lankan team in reply folded up for 143 runs off 47 overs. Wickets fell at regular intervals and no batsman, save M Fernando, put up a fight. Fernando scored 50 not out. After five wickets had fallen for 66 runs, Fernando and Chandana (16) added 30 runs for the sixth wicket. Later, Fernando and K Anthony (18) added 39 runs for the eighth wicket. But the home team never really got anywhere the Karnataka side's total and their final score was inflated by as many as 30 extras. Medium pacer G Lhaitra was the most successful bowler with four for 41. He was ably supported by S Lazarus (2 for 26) and P Hajeri (2 for 24).