India warns cricket cheerleaders

Indian police say the organisers of the new tournament transforming world cricket could be fined if cheerleaders are deemed to be dressed indecently.

The cheerleaders have been introduced into the Indian Premier League as part of moves to add glamour and entertainment to the game.

Some politicians say the cheerleaders are "vulgar and obscene".

Mumbai police say they will be checking that the cheerleaders' performances do not violate entertainment licences.

The cheerleading girls, wearing short skirts and low-cut tops, have been hired from around the world to perform during the matches which are also being heavily endorsed by leading Bollywood stars.

They include cheerleaders from the Washington Redskins.

'Lines of decency'

Cheerleaders have been brought in from all over the world Pic: Sandipan Chatterjee/Indian Express More Details>>

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April 24 (Bloomberg) -- If you think ``getting Bangalored'' is still a metaphor for the loss of Western computer-software and network-maintenance jobs to cheaper workers in India, then you aren't following the Washington Redskins cheerleaders.

Twelve of the ``First Ladies of Football,'' as they like to call themselves, are in India's code-writing capital on work.

Yes, this is outsourcing in reverse; and no, India hasn't taken to playing American football. The National Football League in India refers to a domestic soccer competition; and even that has recently undergone a name change. The cheerleaders are supporting Royal Challengers Bangalore, one of the teams participating in India's newly born cricket league.

The Indian Premier League, a 44-day, 59-match annual fixture, has already emerged as one of the largest and most- promising new business opportunities in India in recent years.

Commentators have mostly focused on how lucrative the league is for the players and the Indian cricket board; cricket enthusiasts have considered the pros and cons of the game's condensed format: It finishes within three hours; a Test match, the classical version, can take five days.

More financially oriented analysts have wondered if it would make a profit for the owners of the teams, including billionaire industrialist Mukesh Ambani, spirits tycoon Vijay Mallya and Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan MoreDetails>>

County cricket is here to stay

While the rest of the world's best moonlight for their millions in the Indian Premier League, cricketers here stick diligently to their day job. The fortunate have a crack at Broadway, while here our lot perform repertory theatre in half-empty, draughty town halls.

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First day's play | Second day's play

County preview

Yes, that blessed anachronism of ours, the County Championship, is back on Wednesday; cloaked, as we all should by now be aware, by probably its darkest ever shadow.

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It's enough to make one feel genuinely sorry for these chaps. But we shouldn't. They are not exactly put-upon. This is no longer a bad day job.

We already know that England's centrally contracted few can earn basic salaries of upwards of £400,000. And, among domestic county players, six-figure salaries are not uncommon. Those bubbling just below the £100,000 mark are positively plentiful.

This is, of course, no reason for exclusion from the Indian fun. Others are topping up already hefty wages. This is just a reality check amid the present hysteria. As is debunking the worst fears for county cricket right now. With the IPL due to begin two days after the championship, it is fast becoming fashionable to predict its total demise.More Details>>

South Africa put on show of force to beat India

The scrap between England, India and South Africa for the right to become Australia's 'official challenger' in world cricket swung decisively in South Africa's favour yesterday when they completed a three-day demolition of India which was as comprehensive as it was daunting.More Details>>

India Lose Second Test Match

Ahmedabad. India lost the second test by a whopping Innings and 90 runs. The result by and large was evident yesterday after the Indian Second Innings collapsed. A valiant 87 bu Saurav Ganguly and 52 by M S Dhoni were too feeble to save the Indian Team from defeat. More Details>>

Cricket-Pakistan's Shoaib files appeal against ban

KARACHI, April 4 (Reuters) - Fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar filed an appeal with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Friday against the five-year ban imposed on him for six counts of indiscipline.
"I have filed my appeal and followed the procedures of the board. I have respect for the law and the board rules and the Chairman," Shoaib told reporters at the Gaddafi stadium in Lahore.
The PCB's chief operating officer Shafqat Naghmi told a press conference in Lahore that an appellate tribunal would be formed soon to hear the appeal.
"The tribunal will reach a decision based on facts not because of any politics," he said.
Shoaib's lawyer, Azeem Danyal, said the ban was illegal and unconstitutional and they were confident of having it removed.
"We have asked the board to give us a copy of the detailed judgement of the disciplinary committee by Monday after which we can prepare our case," he said.MORE DETAILS>>

I have filed my appeal and followed the procedures of the board. I have respect for the law and the board rules and the Chairman," Shoaib told reporte