Cricket: Pawar or Mahendra?

Intense last-minute lobbying could well tilt the scales as Sharad Pawar, one of India's political heavyweights, takes on Ranbir Singh Mahendra, a veteran administrator who has the backing of Jagmohan Dalmiya, for the post of president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India. Both the Pawar and Mahendra camps have been engaged in frenetic activity ahead of the election on Wednesday.

With a last minute compromise unlikely, the election could also result in a new secretary, vice presidents - five in number - joint secretary and treasurer. More importantly, the selection committee, whose first task will be to pick a team to take on mighty Australia, is also likely to be reconstituted.