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August 25, 1999

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India to play in Toronto?

Faisal Shariff

Yes. That's what we learnt in the course of our live chat on the India-Sri Lanka Aiwa Cup match today. So, to find out more about it we called Jaywant Lele, the honorary secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, in Baroda. Here's a transcript of the conversation:

Mr. Lele, is India playing West Indies in Toronto this September?
''No, no. I have no idea about this. I have just come back from the office."

But Mr. Lele, the executive secretary of the BCCI, Mr. Sharad Diwadkar has just told me that you have made an announcement in Baroda stating India will play against West Indies in Toronto...
"Yes, yes! We have agreed to play, but it is not definite. There are some conditions that have been conveyed to them."

What are those conditions?
"Why do you want to know that? This is confidential. And you don't need to know this." (Lele was screaming over the phone and I had to distance the handset from my ear)

Sir, but you had declared that the BCCI is a transparent body. And that there is nothing to hide?
"See the condition we have set is that they must pay us the same amount that was promised to us for the annual Indo-Pak series."

What is that amount Sir?
"Look, now you don't need to know that! That is the prerogative of the board. You write how much I tell you to. We are not supposed to reveal any financial figures to the press."

So, who is sponsoring this series?
"This is going to be sponsored by the International Management Group (IMG)."

Sir, when was the decision to play West Indies taken? Why did.... "
"It was taken here yesterday."

So, is it going to be called the Sahara Cup?
"No, no! This is a two-nation tournament. India will play West Indies on 11th, 12th and 14th of September. This will be followed by another two-nation tournament between Pakistan and West Indies on the 16th, 18th and 19th of September."

Thank-you.

Thus ended our brief dialogue.

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