Nimbus Communications, whose contract holding television rights to cricket in India was terminated in December, has claimed damages of close to Rs. 600 crores (approx. $121 million) from the BCCI in the arbitration process currently under way, ESPNcricinfo has learned. Nimbus’ claim rests mainly on two contentions: that the Indian team rested top players, contrary to the contract, and that there was no India-Pakistan series as stipulated.
Nimbus had secured the rights to Indian cricket for four years in January 2010, its second consecutive four-year deal with the Indian board. The agreement was valued at approximately Rs. 2000 crore (then $436 million) for a minimum of 64 international matches and 312 days of domestic cricket until 2014. The deal was terminated after the BCCI claimed Nimbus had defaulted on payments and the matter then went into arbitration.
