Bringing Glamour to Indian cricket

AHMEDABAD (Reuters) - Indian cricket officials say they are keen to bring inforeign players in order to add a touch of glamour to otherwise dull domestictournaments.> > While cricket-mad India is the game's commercial hub, domestic matches drawfew spectators or additional sponsorship in contrast to international matches.> > Interest has also waned as top draws such as Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkarrarely play domestic cricket due to a busy international schedule.> > "The board is open to the idea," says board secretary Niranjan Shah. "The ruleis already there but nobody has used it so far."> > Shah says regulations allow teams to include up to three players from outsidea state, but there are no restrictions on how many of the three can beforeigners.> > "If some big players from abroad come then people will come and see thesematches," says Shah, adding that he did not anticipate much opposition fromlocal players.> > "If our players can go and play in the English county then we should also beready to bring in outside players."> > Officials also hope that tempting some of cricket's biggest names to Indiawould boost television viewer figures.> > The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) signed a four-year TV rightsdeal in February worth $612 million that requires 70 days live telecast ofdomestic games.> > "We took a decision last year to shop for foreign players, preferably a starcommodity," says Ajay Shirke, president of the Maharashtra Cricket Association.> > > HUGE FUNDS> > State sides can draw on huge funds at their disposal thanks to a grant fromthe world's richest national cricket board, which signed rights deals worth over$1 billion this year.> > State associations are set to receive as much as 80 million rupees ($1.7million) this year, says Shah.> > Maharashtra have already appointed Australian coach Darren Holder, who tookthe team to fifth in Ranji Trophy last season. Former Pakistan player IntikhabAlam coaches the Punjab team.> > Shirke says foreign players could earn between $30,000 to $40,000 a season ifa team went all the way in the tournament. The match fee for a Ranji game is100,000 Indian rupees.> > "Also remember, if we hire a star we can attract sponsors," he says. "I don'tthink money is an issue at all."> > Wider endorsement of such a move could bring many big names to domestic Indiancricket, especially after England's board recently announced counties would onlybe allowed to field one overseas player from 2008.> > Foreign players are not new to Indian cricket.> > India invited West Indian fast bowlers Roy Gilchrist, Chester Watson, CharlieStayers and Lester King to play in the 1960's to help their batsmen adapt topace and foster their own seam bowlers>