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India-Sri Lanka ODI face-off on February 3

From cricket, just because, to cricket with a cause -- that at least is the way Sony Entertainment, the India-based television channel, is moving.

And as step one of what the Sony bosses say is a long-range endeavour, the Indian and Sri Lankan one day sides will clash under lights on February 3 at the Wankhede Stadium in Bombay for the Hero Cup-Winners Cup.

The television channel in fact is projecting the match as the ultimate showdown, with Indi and Sri Lanka having drawn their three-match Pepsi one day series earlier 1-1, with the second game of the series, at Indore, being abandoned due to a dicey pitch.

The proceeds of the game will go to former India all rounder Syed Abid Ali, who is expected to benefit to the tune of about Rs 1.5 million, while proceeds from advertising and sponsorships will be divided among various charities.

"The basic idea," says SET's chief executive officer Kunal Dasgupta, "is to organise such cricket matches, under the banner 'Cricket for Care', on the lines of the PGA tour where proceeds will be donated to charitable organisations such as cancer research centres, the spastic society and such. We plan on having delayed starts to the game -- maybe even as late as 5 pm, in order to catch the late evening television watchers."

The first game, on February 3, will have what the organisers call a deferred telecast -- in other words, telecast will not be live, but will begin after a "cooling period" which hasn't yet been specified. Details, SET officials said, are still being worked out.

Subsequently, an India-Australia one dayer is also planned as part of the same programme, though the date is yet to be specified.

A march by handicapped children will also form part of the programme.

"We consider the match serious, this is not being treated as a masala match," said Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin, who was present at the press conference in Bombay where the details were announced. "As far as we are concerned, this is yet another one day international."

Interestingly, Bombay is dotted with posters that read: "Dravid waiting to explode!", advertising the upcoming event. So will Dravid make it to the playing eleven?

"Dravid and Chauhan and Prasad are young and talented, I am sure they will definitely make it back to the side again," said Azhar, side-stepping the question of whether they would be playing this particular game.

However, Azhar indicated that he would speak up for the inclusion of Rahul Dravid for the upcoming Test series against Australia, saying that the side needed stability in the middle order. "I expect Dravid to be back in the soon, though I am aware that as captain all I can do is suggest, it is up to the selectors to decide, it is they who found Dravid unfit for one-dayers, citing his inability to rotate the strike."

Asked what he felt about the Indian team he was now leading, Azhar said, "The side has started playing collectively, which is what helped us win the Bangladesh Independence Cup, I am sure Dravid, when he returns, will also contribute to this."

Saying that he felt content both in his professional and personal life, Azhar said that he would devote more time for charity matches henceforth. In this connection, said Azhar, the immediate thought that comes to mind is former Test stumper Ramnath Parkar, now an invalid for life following an accident a couple of years ago.

"Something should be done for Parkar and others in need," Azhar said in course of the media briefing.