Indian news round-up

Lele dispels speculations on Kapil

The secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Jayawant Lele on Wednesday dispelled speculations that Kapil Dev was contemplating resignation from his post as the Senior National Coach.

Speaking to a website in Baroda, Lele said ``He is taking part in a match in Mumbai on May 13 before proceeding to Pune with other Mumbai-based players called for the camp.''

He also informed that the BCCI's working committee is to meet in New Delhi on May 19 to discuss "routine matters." Kapil Dev and captain Sourav Ganguly who would be reaching Pune on the May 22 are to be invited to take part in the selection committee meeting before the 14-member team is finalised on May 23 at Pune for the Asia Cup tournament in Dhaka.

Ganguly's poor form continues

Lancashire scored a three wicket win over Durham in the Benson & Hedges Cup quarter final match on Tuesday in Old Trafford. They now meet holders Gloucestershire in the semifinals at Bristol on May 28.

After dismissing Durham for 154, Lancashire were tottering at 35 for five before Neil Fairbrother (57 notout) and Warren Hegg (36) put on a sixth wicket stand worth 73. Then Fairbrother guided Lancashire past the target in the company of Ian Austin. Sourav Ganguly had a rather lean day on the field scoring 9 runs with the bat and proved costly with the ball conceeding 20 runs off his three overs.

Earlier, put into bat Durham lost JJB Lewis of the very first ball. Then MP Speight (36)and SM Katich (62) joined together for a second wicket stand worth 87. But Schofield struck three crutial blows, dismissing SM Katich, R Robinson and NJ Speak. This triggered a collapse and Durham were bowled out in 46.5 overs.

Kapil to play in charity match

Indian team coach Kapil Dev would be participating in a charity match at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on May 13, before proceeding to Pune for the Indian Team's Asia Cup preparatory camp.

The match is slated to be played on Saturday and has been arranged by Mukti Foundation in view of helping the drought affected in the states of Rajasthan and Gujarat. Apart from Kapil, some of the top Indian cricketers including Sachin Tendulkar will take part in the day-night match.

Meanwhile the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bangalore has turned down a request from the organisers to release batsman Mohammad Kaif and off-spinner Harbhajan Singh for the match.

Laxman Felicitated by St John's Foundation

St John's Sports Coaching Foundation in Hyderabad felicitated Indian batsman VVS Laxman on becoming the highest run getter (1415 runs) in a Ranji Trophy season. Laxman also became the first player in the 63 year Ranji Trophy history to score two triple hundreds in the competition.

Speaking on the occation the the chief guest, Joint Commissioner- Income Tax Harilal Naik, expressed immense satisfaction on seeing the young wards at the foundation and asked them to emulate Laxman.

Chief coach of the academy V Manohar spoke at lenght of Laxman's achievements from the time he joined the foundation as a 10-year old. In reply for the adulations Laxman advised the trainees to be committed and consistent and said that there was substitute for hard work.