Indian news round-up

The spokesman for the King Commission, John Bacon said on Tuesday that the South African state prosecutor Shamila Batohi would certainly question former Indian captain Mohd Azharuddin and other cricketers during her impending visit to India.

Quoting Bacon, Indian Abroad News Service said that Batohi wanted to talk to Azharuddin and wished to listen to the alleged taped conversation of ousted South African captain Hansie Cronje which is in the possession of the Delhi police.

The agency reported that the commission is in the process of finalising the travel plans of Batohi and Geoff Edwards and the date of arrival in Mumbai would be known in a week's time. Bacon also said that Batohi would hold talks with the Delhi police, cricket authorities and those who have been arrested in connection with the ongoing scandal.

The Untited News of India reported on Monday that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has refuted claims of an income tax raid on a former Board President in Mumbai on Sunday. UNI reported that only two former BCCI presidents are living in south Mumbai, namely Raj Singh Dungarpur and Purshottam Rungta.

Quoting a BCCI spokesman the agency said that Dungarpur would top the list of those who have earned the admiration of the tax authorities and with regard to Rungta the authorities are yet to recover any evidence after the raids conducted in his Rajastan residence.

The denial comes in the wake of a PTI report on Monday that the income tax authorities on Sunday had raided a former BCCI president's residence in south Mumbai. The agency also reported that during the search, a substantial amount of jewellery was recovered and a bank locker was sealed. The agency also added that the search was part of a follow up exercise as the department had recovered some documents which gave them the clue.

A blazing unbeaten 60 off 43 balls by Rahul Dravid saw Kent hand a second defeat for Lancashire in two days in the rain shortened Norwick Union one day match at Old Trafford on Tuesday.

Chasing a stiff target of 137 in 21 overs, Kent lost opener Matthew Walker (7) with only 9 on board. Then Rahul Dravid in the company of Mathew Fleming and Allen Wells put on two partnerships worth 41 and 44 respectively to take Kent close to victory. Dravid with Martin McCague hit the required runs.

Earlier in the day Indian captain Sourav Ganguly (52) with a 51 ball half century helped Lancashire put up a fighting total. Ganguly figured in a useful second wicket partnership with John Crawley, adding 49 in 10 overs. But after his fall none of the other Lancashire batsmen could make any significant contributions.