Indian news round-up

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is to beam interviews of 13 Indian cricketers, past and present, in their programme `Face to Face' starting from July 5. Speaking during the pre-launch function in New Delhi on Thursday, Karan Thapar, the anchor said that the programme intends to provide a deep insight into the minds and lives of these stalwarts.

The Indians who are to be interviewed by Thapar include Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi, Bishan Singh Bedi, Anil Kumble, Syed Kirmani, Ajay Jadeja, Nayan Mongia and Javagal Srinath. But the BBC has made a conscious effort to stay away from the present controversy. The matchfixing saga has not been touched at all. It does not even find a mention in the entire programme.

Speaking about the programme, Thaper said ``We have tried to bring out the human angle of these stars. How Kirmani first got attracted to his wife, how Pataudi had to woo Sharmila and things like these which we thought would make for interesting viewing.''

The Deputy chief executive officer of Zee Sports, Satish Memon, on Thursday charged the International Cricket Council (ICC) with having a racist attitude while awarding the television rights for the next two World Cup competitions to Rupert Murdoch's World Sports Group (WSG).

In a statement issued in Mumbai, Memon said ``It is a battle against the $550 million offer by the white man's company with one dollar net worth as opposed to the $666 million by an Indian company having a capitalisation of close to $10 billion and yet the was in favour of the former reflecting age old discrimination.''

Memon said ``What else could explain the award of the contract by the ICC to WSG?'' and alleged that it was a ``very clear game plan and mischievous design of keeping the developing world in the limited domain of contractorship.''

Indian middle order batsman Rahul Dravid scored an unbeaten 73 of 145 balls to help Kent reach 128 for one at close of play on day two in the PPP Healthcare County Championship Division One match against Somerset at Maidstone on Thursday.

Resuming at their overnight score of 290 for five, Somerset were all out at 475. In reply, Kent lost David Fulton cheaply. Then Dravid came together with Key and the two put on 112 runs for the unbroken second wicket to guide Kent to safety. Dravid in particular was looking in good touch and helped himself to eleven boundaries.

In the other match of the day, Indian captain Sourav Ganguly scored 44 as Lancashire consolidated their hold on Yorkshire in their PPP Healthcare County Championship Division One match at Old Trafford. Lancashire were 149 for five when stumps were drawn on the second day. Earlier, Yorkshire were bowled out for 164. Glen Chapple (4 for 27) and Mike Smethurst (3 for 40) ran through the middle and lower order.