Indian domestic matches to be broadcast overseas

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Indian domestic cricket will be broadcast around the world for the first time from next weekend, the Board of Control for Cricket in India, BCCI, said on Monday, reports Reuters.

Lalit Modi, head of the board's marketing committee, told reporters that 70 days of live cricket would be televised in Britain, Australia, Africa and Malaysia, as well as on the internet, beginning with a one-day tournament from next Sunday.

"In the past we had failed to market domestic cricket the way England and Australia have done," marketing committee member Inderjit Bindra said. "We want to give prominence to domestic cricket, make stars out of them."

Despite the fervour for international cricket in India, the domestic competition draws few spectators and little sponsorship as top players such as Sachin Tendulkar and India captain Rahul Dravid rarely participate due to their busy international schedule.