The International Cricket Council (ICC) has told the Indian board that it needs to provide TV pictures for third umpire decisions to go ahead with next month's home Test series against Australia.
The ICC said in a statement on Friday that it had turned down a request from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) that the matches should be allowed even if no TV coverage was available for the third umpire.
Telecast of the much-awaited series, starting on October 6, has been thrown into serious doubt because of ongoing litigation over the recent award of TV rights for cricket in India.
"ICC is not able to agree to BCCI's proposal. It is ICC policy that all international matches must have third umpire television coverage in place," ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed said in a statement.
"ICC has revisited this policy recently and confirmed that it is one of the requirements for international cricket," he said.
India's largest listed media firm, Zee telefilms, was this month conditionally awarded the rights for four years worth a massive $308 million. Its main rival, ESPN-Star Sports, is contesting the award, however, mainly on grounds of eligibility.
The Mumbai High Court on Wednesday directed the board not to award the rights to any third party until the dispute is settled.
Experts said the Indian board could still produce TV pictures for the third umpire if the dispute remains unresolved and the series is not aired for the public.
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