Indian news round-up

The recent match fixing scandal could be deemed a soap opera for the varied twists and turns that it offered during the past five months. But the issue is now turning from the real to the reel world. India's national channel Doordarshan is set to telecast a telefilm with the scandal being the main theme.

The director of the film `Gaurav' Yogesh Saigal said in New Delhi on Monday that Doordarshan is to telecast the film in two parts on DD-1. The first part is to be telecast on September 26 and the second on October 3 at 1930 hours.

The story is based on the 1852 classic `The Family Name' by Henri Malin. The director has adapted the script to suit the present day scenario and especially the recent off the field happenings in cricket.

Indian middle order batsman Rahul Dravid's successful stint with Kent County Cricket Club has evoked all round happiness with the county management and they are hopeful that Dravid would continue playing for the county during next season.

Kent CCC made a special mention of Dravid's contribution through the season and expressed hope of a continued relationship with the Indian batsman. The decision on overseas players for next season will be made once the international calendar for 2001 is finalised.

Dravid, in the 15 county matches that he turned out for Kent this season, scored 1039 runs with a century and eight fifties at a healthy average of 42.49.

India Today Online reported on Monday that a private Indian television channel is trying to sign up the entire Indian team for a new version of limited overs matches called E-Max cricket, a 25 overs a side for the TV version of the game. The contract is slated to run initially for a three year period.

The magazine reported that Set Max, a subsidiary of Sony TV along with a Hyderabad-based firm called PCM International Limited has, under the joint name of E-Maxco, spent the past six months trying to lobby leading Indian players to participate in the series of proposed matches.

The magazine said that the players are to receive a minimum of Rs 24 lakh each year as guarantee money. The report also said that according to the proposed contract, the players will be paid Rs 2 lakh a game and they would also be entitled to receive a minimum of 12 match fees each season. The players would also get an allowance of $50 per day during the tournament.