Officials at the Board of Control for Cricket in India and the Indian Premier League, "keen and eager" to make a major part of the IPL-7 a home affair, "are trying to get an undertaking from the Union Home Ministry that it would not intervene if the eight-franchise-team Twenty20 tournament is relocated to India from the first week of May." Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde has on many occasions in the last week declared that his department "would be in no position to spare security for the IPL-7 during election time." But a proactive group in the BCCI-IPL "is making a last-ditch effort to get a clear window in early May itself" (THE HINDU, 3/6). ... Racing New South Wales and Racing Victoria "have undertaken a review and modernisation of the Australian Rules of Racing" as a result of recent high-profile cases, like the More Joyous saga, "that have shown shortfalls in the rule book." Racing NSW CEO Peter V'landys said, "The legal counsel at Racing NSW and Racing Victoria are looking at the rules to modernize and update them at the moment" (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 3/7). ... Dozens of Indian students from Kashmir "have been suspended and threatened with sedition charges after they cheered the 'wrong' team in a closely fought India-Pakistan cricket match, reigniting arguments about Indian national identity.'' A private university in Meerut in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh "suspended the 67 students and expelled them from their hostel rooms." The students are accused of "shouting pro-Pakistan slogans after the game" (FINANCIAL TIMES, 3/6).
IPL MATCH-FIXING: Former Indian Premier League Chennai Super Kings Owner Gurunath Meiyappan "had admitted to 'friendly betting' in IPL 6 matches through Vindoo Dara Singh." This "is another blow" to BCCI President and Int'l Cricket Council chairman-designate N. Srinivasan as his son-in-law admitted to friendly betting (TNN, 3/6). What lies in store for IPL sides Chennai Super Kings and the Rajasthan Royals "is going to get crystallised, as the Supreme Court on Friday will resume the hearing of the Mudgal Committee report" (HINDUSTAN TIMES, 3/6).
