MUMBAI, August 1: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has offered Doordarshan free access to telecast 20-25 days of domestic cricket from the forthcoming season.

The BCCI was awaiting a reply from the government body about its offer through which domestic tournaments like Ranji Trophy, Duleep Trophy and the Irani Cup can be shown by the national network without paying any royalty to the Board. The offer is another sure sign that the relationship between the two has begun to thaw.

BCCI and DD were involved in a court battle only four years ago during the Hero Cup tournament following the selling of telecast rights by the BCCI to the US-based sports producer Trans-World International after DD refused to pay royalty fees.

The BCCI has also requested ex-Australian captain and coach Bob Simpson to suggest the name of a good physical culturist to train the Indian team in future and not to become the team's coach, according to board sources.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.