Indian news round-up

Speaking to Press Trust of India (PTI), Niranjan Shah said that the batting maestro had requested him during the Rajkot one-dayer against Zimbabwe that he needed some rest before the commencement of the home series against Australia. Shah added "the other two Indian players from West Zone, Ajit Agarkar and Zaheer Khan, would play in turns from the third league match onwards."

PTI in its report also added that the Indian team coach John Wright too had requested the selectors not to include the main players from the Indian team in their respective teams since he wanted the players to be fresh for the forthcoming series against Australia.

The Union Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Uma Bharti said in Chennai on Saturday that the Government has given the tainted cricketers a time period of 15 days thereby giving them yet another chance to explain their position before the Government decides on stripping them off the Arjuna Awards conferred upon the cricketers.

Speaking to reporters at the airport, Uma Bharti said that a 15-day time period has been offered since it was a democratic right of the tainted players -Mohammad Azharuddin, Ajay Jadeja and Manoj Prabhakar - to come forward with their viewpoints. The Union Minister said "Withdrawing an award is a serious matter. It is also a dishonour. Therefore, you must give them (the tainted players) time to come out with their version."

When queried if the Government also proposes to seize the properties of some of the cricketers following the raids conducted by the Income Tax Department, Uma Bharti said that the report from the department is still awaited by the Government.

The President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), AC Muthiah said in New Delhi on Saturday that he has requested the Government to reconsider their decision of canceling the Indian tour to Pakistan this winter.

Quoting the BCCI president, Aaj Tak said "I have sent a letter to the Sports Ministry asking whether they could once again look at their decision and reconsider it." The Indian Government on November 15 refused permission to send the Indian team to Pakistan citing the former's support for cross border terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.

Meanwhile, the BCCI refused to brief the media about the outcome of its `Core Group' meeting held at the Cricket Club of India (CCI) in Mumbai on Saturday. Muthiah said there was nothing to give to the media. "It is an informal meeting and we have nothing to give to the press. Even the itinerary for the home series against Australia will be finalised at the working committee meeting to be held at Delhi on January 22, 2001," he added.