Technical committee recommendations to be forwarded to AGM: Gavaskar

The BCCI Technical committee chairman Sunil Gavaskar said on Wednesday that the "BCCI's technical committee will have detailed discussions with the zonal and state associations on the issue of making the domestic circuit more competitive with emphasis on quality wickets." He also said that "Our main concern is to improve the quality of pitches and we want to have the state associations' views on it and that's why additional time was required."

Talking to reporters after the meeting, the former Indian captain said "Though no firm decision was taken at the meeting today, there were important suggestions made by the affiliate members." The opinion of players will also be taken to make tournaments more competitive, he added. Gavaskar said "The recommendations will then be put before the Board' Annual General Meeting slated for September and the AGM's decisions will be in place by the next season."

Uma Bharti says she has nothing against cricket

Indian Sports Minister Uma Bharti said she has nothing against cricket and wished that the game would flourish without commercial considerations spoiling it. Bharti said this at the inauguration of the Bishen Singh Bedi Cricket Trust's annual camp being held in collaboration with the Sports Authority of India at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium in the capital on Wednesday.

Bharti said the game must be played in the right spirit and commercial considerations should not come in the way. She said the recent match-fixing controversy dented the image of a few cricketers but "happily not of the game itself". Praising Bedi, the minister said "I am happy Bedi is giving back to the game some of what he got from it," and added that another former India captain Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi, who was also present, and Bedi were heroes even for the present day youngsters because "they played the game with passion and for the love of it".

Pataudi described Bedi as a good teacher and added that "though the six-week training period was not a long time for the trainees, you must all go back wiser from the experience. Cricket has gained immense popularity but it faced some tough times recently. I hope these are behind us now." Bedi during his speech said "we are not here to churn out just cricketers but to make them good citizens of India".

Former cricketers at camp to motivate players

Former Indian players and stars of yesteryears Erapalli Prasanna and Roger Binny, Anil Kumble and former Australian wicketkeeping great Rodney Marsh are at the preparatory camp in Bangalore to help and motivate the Indian side to win the series against Zimbabwe quotes AFP. The former stars are having pep talks with probables to boost them and help India end the 15-year drought of a series victory abroad.

Prasanna who had a talk with spinners Harbhajan Singh, Sarandeep Singh and Rahul Sanghvi said "I help them with the guidelines. It is basically correcting their line and length." He added The camp is meant to condition their mind. "These young spinners are at the start of their career. They will take time to mature. It may take another two to three years and a lot of exposure for them to be the best in the business," Prasanna said.

Marsh explained to the three keepers' - Ajay Ratra, Sameer Dighe and Deep Das Gupta - the basic skills and techniques for wicketkeepers. He said "The first rule in wicket-keeping is to figure out the rhythm and develop confidence," and added "You have to take these two into the game if you want to become a good wicketkeeper." Kumble, on his part, said "I tell them how I approach the game," while Binny said "The boys are in good shape and I am here to help them gain more self confidence."

I will try to make a comeback, says Jadeja

Former Indian captain Ajay Jadeja who has been banned by the BCCI for five years inaugurated an innovative concept 'Summerage' at the Le Merdien hotel in New Delhi on Wednesday. Talking to reporters, Jadeja said "It's a refreshing blend of activities to chill you out after a perspiring day and re-activate your energy buds."

Stating that he was fighting against the board to stage a comeback, Jadeja said "That is why I am fighting it out (the suspension by BCCI in court)... I also practice whenever I get a chance. I will try to make a comeback on the international scene". Replying to a question on his Hindi film venture, Jadeja said "I am attending dancing classes and I am really keen on this project. I was spared of sound or screen auditions thankfully and also no acting classes for me. I think that comes to me naturally."

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