Australian broadcaster ABC Radio has been forced to rule out their plans to cover the four-Test Australia-India series in India because of the rising costs imposed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
ABC Radio had considered sending their regular cricket commentator Jim Maxwell to cover the series, but had to shelve the plan when the BCCI ordered that he could not report from inside any ground, as ABC was not paying for broadcasting rights, Telegraph.com.au reports.
According to the report, the Australian broadcaster is rumoured to be considering making a representation to the Indian High Commissioner in Australia against the BCCI's decision.
The BCCI has asked that broadcasters from touring nations to pay to cover matches at Indian venues, which was recently protested by English broadcasters, BBC and SkyTV opting not to send commentary teams to cover England's recent tour.
ABC covered Indian series in 1994, 1998, 2001, 2004 and 2008 but did not cover the 2010 Tests due to the Commonwealth Games.
Fox Sports will still broadcast live coverage of the series on pay television.
