Indian news round-up

Former Indian captain Ajay Jadeja, who has moved the Delhi High Court against the decision of the Board of Control for Cricket in India to ban him for five years, has said he is keen to play against the Australians in the coming series and the ban should be kept in suspended animation.

Seeking a stay on BCCI's ban for his alleged involvement in the matchfixing scandal, Jadeja, in his interim application, pleaded that the ban order should be kept in suspended animation till the final outcome on his main writ.

Jadeja said "irreparable loss and injury" would be caused to him if the ban order of December 12 last year was not stayed and on the other hand "no harm or loss will be caused to the respondents (BCCI) and the Government or anybody else if the order of December 12 is suspended and he is allowed to play". He added he was ready to "undertake to give his best to the game of cricket which he has always done."

The court has fixed hearing on his plea for interim stay on BCCI order along with his main writ on March 29.

Former Indian captain Bishen Singh Bedi too, like his illustrious spin partner Erapalli Prasanna, says India can beat the Australians in both Test and one-day series during their forthcoming tour of India. Talking to PTI in Mumbai before leaving for Delhi on Saturday, the left arm spin wizard said "I feel we can beat them provided we field better than the Australians. I think fielding will be the key".

Bedi, who was in Mumbai to play for the Cricket Club of India's friendly match against Izingari team from United Kingdom, said "our batsmen should score runs quickly so that our bowlers have something to bowl at and with enough time on hand. Our boys should have a positive approach to the series".

Bedi added "The forthcoming series is all about the mind game. It's all in the mind. If we think and plan properly and then implement those plans, half the battle would be won and we should not be demoralised with the absence of leg spinner Anil Kumble as they too are without (fast bowler) Brett Lee, who could have caused problems to our batsmen."