Complaint against Sachin’s Gir tour
Junagadh: A complaint was filed before the Election Commission on Wednesday, seeking action against forest officials alleging breach of the Model Code of Conduct, after they accompanied cricketer Sachin Tendulkar during his recent visit to the Gir lion sanctuary in Gujarat. The Right to Information (RTI) Activists' Association of Junagadh lodged a complaint before the state Election Commissioner on Wednesday seeking action against officers who accompanied Tendulkar on March 22. "Take action against forest officials who accompanied Sachin Tendulkar and his family during their trip to Gir lion sanctuary, since by doing so, they have breached the Model Code of Conduct," the Association said in its complaint. "They took a caravan of government vehicles and stayed on for more time in the sanctuary. Hence, they have breached the Model Code of Conduct," the complaint, which has been filed against two forest officers R l Meena and Sandip Kumar, said.
ICC announces officials for semis
Mirpur: Ranjan Madugalle will officiate as match referee while Kumar Dharmasena and Ian Gould will be the field umpires in India’s World Twenty20 semifinal match against South Africa here on Friday. Richard Kettleborough and Rod Tucker will officiate as on-field umpires while David Boon will be the match referee for the first semifinal between Sri lanka and the West Indies at Sher-e-Bangla Stadium here. The appointments for the semi-finals are: 3 April: Sri lanka v West Indies, Richard Kettleborough and Rod Tucker (on-field), Steve Davis (third umpire), Bruce Oxenford (fourth umpire), David Boon (match referee); 4 April: South Africa v India, Kumar Dharmasena and Ian Gould (on-field umpires), Bruce Oxenford (third umpire), Richard Kettleborough (fourth umpire), Ranjan Madugalle (match referee).
India NO.1 in ICC T20 rankings
Dubai: Riding on their superb unbeaten run in the World T20 so far, the Indian cricket team toppled Sri lanka to clinch the top spot in the ICC rankings issued on Wednesday. “India has moved ahead of Sri lanka into the number-one position on the Reliance ICC T20I Team Rankings Table,” the ICC said in a statement. India gained seven ratings points after remaining unbeaten in their group engagements in Bangladesh to finish on 130, bringing them on par with Sri lanka.
Dhoni not above Cricket: Zee to HC
Chennai: Facing a `100 crore defamation suit from India cricket captain MS Dhoni over its reports on IPl betting scam, Zee TV on Wednesday defended itself in Madras High Court, saying it merely reported the deposition of a suspended IPS officer. In its counter affidavit filed before the court in compliance of notice issued to it, the TV network said its reports were based on the deposition of G Sampath Kumar before the Supreme Court-appointed Mudgal Committee. Dhoni had filed the suit claiming `100 crore damages for allegedly telecasting “malicious” news that he was involved in betting, spot and match fixing of IPl matches. The Zee Television Network denied it deliberately attempted to malign Dhoni.