Zee rejects High Court suggestion

Zee Telefilms has rejected the suggestion made by the Mumbai High Court last week, that they should go in for a fresh bidding process for the rights of international cricket in India for the next four years. Zee had earlier won the rights from ESPN-Star Sports (ESS), who then filed a petition alleging that Zee were ineligible to bid as per the terms of the Indian board's tender.

Zee's contention, of course, is that the bidding process was fair and transparent to begin with, and there is no reason for them to enter it again. ESS's original contention, about Zee's ineligibility for the rights, will now be heard on September 16.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India, for its part, wants the fracas to be resolved as soon as possible. Speaking to Indiantelevision.com, Jagmohan Dalmiya, the BCCI's president, said, "Forget the money, we would lose face if the matches are not televised as we are obliged to provide replays, etc to the third umpire, and ICC may even penalise us heavily, apart from the likelihood of the Australian board demanding compensation."