cricket group

2012-09-14T07:47:00.000-07:00

BCCI should follow anti-doping, age restriction rules: Union sports ministry

The central government has accepted in its counter affidavit filed in the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad high court that it has been requesting the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to get recognized as a National Sports Federation (NSF) but BCCI is not paying any attention to it.

The counter affidavit has been filed by the union ministry of sports and youth affairs in response to the public interest litigation (PIL) filed against BCCI by IPS officer Amitabh and RTI activist Nutan Thakur in the court.

The petitioners have prayed that the BCCI should get the status of NSF and follow the required government rules and if the BCCI refuses, the central government should declare some other willing body as the NSF for the game of cricket in India.

In the affidavit, the ministry agreed with the submission made by Amitabh and Nutan that the BCCI should get recognized as a NSF. According to the affidavit, at present there are 51 recognized NSFs in the country. The BCCI had also made a request on February 5, 2011, to get itself recognized as a NSF.

But when the ministry sent a letter in April 2011 asking the BCCI to submit its acceptance to the government guidelines on age and tenure limits of their office bearers, the BCCI never replied. The BCCI also did not inform the ministry about the steps taken for prevention of age fraud and for eradication of doping.

Further, it did not share information regarding mode of selection and selectors of national teams.

As per the ministry's affidavit, though the BCCI does not take direct financial assistance but the government of India provides crores of rupees as assistance through income tax and customs duty exemptions. Many state cricket associations have been provided land at cheaper rates.

The next date of hearing is on September 20, 2011.

2012-09-14T07:33:00.003-07:00

India vs Pakistan in World T20 tune-up

India and Pakistan will get an early chance to size up each other ahead of the World Twenty20 when they clash in a high-profile practice match next Monday.

Difficult to win World T20: Kapil Dev

"My heart says that India will win the World Cup and my cricketing brain thinks that they will find it very difficult," said Former India captain Kapil Dev.

Mahela to lead Daredevils in CLT20

Virender Sehwag stepped down from captaincy of the Delhi Daredevils and Mahela Jayawardene will now lead the team in the Champions League T20.

India confident of winning World T20

India's cricketers have expressed confidence about winning the World Twenty20 for the second time and feel that the return of Yuvraj Singh would be a boost.

IPL franchises picked over CLT20 teams

Nine international cricketers have opted to play for their IPL franchises instead of their home teams in the Champions League Twenty20 scheduled next month.

2012-09-14T07:15:00.002-07:00

Indian team to wear ‘lucky shirt’ in upcoming T20 World Cup

Indian cricket team has been ordered to wear the same jersey that they wore during the 2011 World Cup in the upcoming ICC World Twenty20. The reason for that is that the same jersey will bring good luck to the Indian team

"It's our decision to ask the players to wear the jersey which they had used during the 2011 World Cup," Indian cricket board official Ratnakar Shetty said.

Nike, the Indian team's clothing sponsor came up with a new jersey particularly for the T20 team.

Indian team captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni at the launch said that the design will help fans identify with the shortest format of the game.

"When we see players in white, we know they are playing Test cricket. Similarly, when you see them in blue, you know an ODI is going on. Now that we have a different T20 shirt, there will be a strong association between the format and the jersey,” Dhoni said.

Star Indian opener Virender Sehwag also praised the new design, he said, “I play with my heart and I play for the national flag," he said. "I like this jersey because the national colours are on my heart.”

2012-09-14T07:08:00.000-07:00

Yuvraj Singh on receiving Arjuna Award: "I feel proud of now being known as an Arjuna Awardee. I am also excited because the President presented the award and it means a lot. It was a momentous occasion for me and my family.

2012-09-14T06:23:00.003-07:00

Visit http://adfoc.us/588738133392 to get full schedules of ICC world T20, 2012 including Warm-up matches.

2012-09-14T06:03:00.002-07:00

Indian Captain MS Dhoni arrived in Sri Lanka with the team for the T20 World Cup. - Team MSD

2012-09-14T05:58:00.001-07:00

All the best Team India.! - Team MSD

MS DHONI

2012-09-14T05:50:00.000-07:00