Dalmiya given full authority

With a long-drawn legal battle looming over the contentious telecast rights, the Board of Control for Cricket in India rallied behind its president, Jagmohan Dalmiya, authorising him to take necessary action in all matters.

The Working Committee, which held an emergent meeting in Kolkata on Thursday, discussed at length the developments arising out of the legal tussle between ESPN-Star Sports and Zee Telefilms Ltd and decided to maintain status quo on the issue of telecast rights for matches to be played in India during next four years as per the directive of the Bombay high court.

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With regard to the ongoing legal proceedings, the committee decided to advise the Board lawyer to assist the court for expeditious disposal of the matter.

"The Committee decided to advise the Board's lawyers to assist the honourable court for expeditious disposal of the matter," Dalmiya told newspersons after the 75-minute meeting.

Dalmiya said members were updated on the developments regarding the telecast rights issue and apprised about the court's order on maintaining status quo.

"We have several forthcoming engagements in India. The first Test against Australia begins from October 6. We need television coverage of the matches, particularly for the benefit of the third umpire. It is a mandatory requirement of the International Cricket Council," he said.

The committee also discussed the platinum jubilee match between India and Pakistan, scheduled for November 13 in Kolkata, which is beyond the purview of the present television tender.

It authorised Dalmiya to take a decision on broadband rights for international matches and telecast rights for the one-day November 13 exhibition match.

"The modus operandi for coverage of the match was discussed and Dalmiya was authorised to take a decision," Working Committee member Rajiv Shukla said.