Indian news round up

Cricketer-turned-commentator Navjot Singh Sidhu has been charged with "hurting" the religious sentiments of a particular section of Sikhs with his utterances during the live telecast of the India-Zimbabwe match on June 23, according to Press Trust of India. Ludhiana-based Harpal Singh Kohli, in his complaint filed with a Ludhiana court on Saturday, has alleged that during the commentary on a private TV channel the former batsman had made "defamatory" remarks on 'Khatri Sikhs'.

According to the counsel for the complainant, Sidhu, while interacting with fellow commentator Harsha Bhogle, is alleged to have said, "only Bhapas wear multi-coloured turbans". Sidhu made these remarks when asked why he did not wear multi-coloured turbans. The term `Bhapas' refers to Khatris or lower caste Sikhs in a derogatory sense, the counsel said.

Taking cognizance of the complaint, the magistrate fixed September 29 to examine witnesses including Bhogle and Sunil Gavaskar who was also reportedly present as Sidhu made the comments, the counsel said.

The North Zone Ranji Trophy league match between Punjab and Haryana during the ensuing season will be held at the lush green environs of the TERI Oval near Gurgaon from November 24 to 27. Disclosing this, Ranbir Singh Mahendera, secretary, Haryana Cricket Association said that Rohtak will host two Ranji trophy matches this year whereas one match has been allotted to Faridabad.

According to Mahendera, Haryana will begin their Ranji campaign by playing a match at Rohtak against Jammu and Kashmir from November 1 to 4. Faridabad's Nahar Singh Stadium will be the venue of the Haryana versus Services tie scheduled to be held from November 18 to 21. Rohtak will host the Haryana versus Himachal Pradesh tie from November 30 to December 3. Both the matches to be hosted by Rohtak will be held at the Maharaja Aggarsain Stadium.

Left handed batsman Rohan Gavaskar will lead Cricket Association of Bengal in the MRF Buchi Babu invitation tournament, currently on in Chennai. He will replace veteran left arm spinner Utpal Chatterjee who was originally named as captain.

Utpal suffered an injury in practice and has been advised ten days rest and is unlikely to be available for CAB's campaign in the tournament. Stand bye Soumen Singh will replace Utpal in the squad. CAB play their first match against Oil & Natural Gas Corporation from August 16.