* The Indian media ain't impressed

The performance of Sourav Ganguly's men who lost the series in Sri Lanka has definitely not impressed the Indian media.

"It is time to grapple with the harsh reality. And the truth is, despite the hype, there is not too much depth in the Indian cricket scene," The Hindu said. "Put them in a pressure-cooker situation of a Test match, and they would come apart like a pack of cards."

"One witnessed this at the Sinhalese Sports Club ground ... A disgraceful surrender on a flat wicket with the (Indian) side not even crossing the 300-mark in either innings. And on a pitch where four Sri Lankan batsmen made centuries, Shiv Sunder Das' 68 in the second innings was the highest by an Indian. Just where are the real heroes?" the paper asked.

Ace Indian leg-spinner Anil Kumble, recuperating from a shoulder injury, was also critical of the team. "One glaring aspect was that none of our batsmen scored 100 in the series, while the Sri Lankans hit seven," 'Jumbo' wrote in his column published in the Times of India.

"Sri Lankan batsmen scored runs at a brisk pace, thereby giving their bowlers enough time to have a go at the Indian batsmen," he added.

Kumble was liberal in his praise of Muttiah Muralitharan who was named man-of-the-series for his 23 wickets. "Murali showed his class to reap his highest haul against India in a Test series in his career," Kumble said.

* Don't tax us, please

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) might be the richest sporting body in the country at present. But it could be dragged into the financial mire if tax exemptions don't come through. At least that is what current BCCI president AC Muthiah will have us believe.

"The BCCI is quite comfortably placed financially now, but that will get affected if the expected tax exemptions are not received from the Government," Muthiah told PTI in Chennai. "We will face serious problems if the tax exemptions don't come through."

The Board meanwhile has made good money through the sale of television rights and through sponsorship deals. "...the finances of the Board received a boost through lucrative television and team sponsorship deals," the BCCI president said.

Muthiah is currently busy preparing for the soon to be held election to nominate the next BCCI president. Jagmohan Dalmiya is another man who reportedly is interested in wresting control of the BCCI.

© CricInfo