Lalchand Rajput appointed manager for Twenty20 World Cup

Former India cricketer Lalchand Rajput was today appointed Team India manager for the Twenty20 World Cup to be played in South Africa next month.

New Delhi, Aug. 8 : Former India cricketer Lalchand Rajput was today appointed Team India manager for the Twenty20 World Cup to be played in South Africa next month.

Rajput will take over from Chandu Borde, the manager for England tour, even as bowling coach Venketesh Prasad and Robin Singh will continue to work in the same capacity, the BCCI decided in a meeting at BCCI President Sharad Pawar's residence in the Capital.

Board spokesman Rajiv Shukla told reporters after the meeting that the board will issue an advertisement for the post of coach in a week's time, but refused to give a timeframe for the selection of Greg Chappell's successor.

''The BCCI has also decided to build another National Cricket Academy in Bangalore. We are in talks with the Karnataka Government and their response has been positive,'' Shukla said.

He also informed that the Cricket Club of India (CCI) would host the one-off Twenty20 match between India and Australia on October 20 after the seven-match ODI series between the two countries.

In an ultimatum to Kapil Dev and others who have, or wish to, join the Indian Cricket League (ICL), the BCCI said such people had to make a hard choice between remaining with the BCCI, or going with the ICL.

During the meeting, the BCCI sought to uphold an individual's right to choose, but with a rider: Choose between them or us.

''It is every individual's right to decide whether he wishes to associate with the BCCI or any other organisatison,'' Shukla said in his statement after the meeting.

''However, if he associates himself with any other organisation, he will not be able to derive any benefits from the BCCI or be associated with any of its activities,'' he added.

He refused to directly comment on the fate of NCA chief Kapil Dev, who is also the chairman of the ICL Executive Board, saying that his fate would be decided in the August 21 board meeting in Mumbai.

ANI