New Zealand floats a tempting delivery

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) chief executive Martin Snedden was quoted by agencies as saying that he was looking at India because it was the only Test playing nation free in January. ‘‘It’s a possible option but I don’t know whether it’s workable or not’’, Snedden was reported to have said.

There’s another, more plausible, reason for choosing India: Business sense. Respected New Zealand-based journalist Richard Boock told The Indian Express that NZC was aware of the attractive financial benefits attached.

‘‘The revenue from ticket sales, television rights everything will be a huge boost for NZC because India is a huge draw here,’’ said Boock.

In India, the reactions have ranged from ignorance to outrage. ‘‘Let their suggestion come. We’ll see’’, BCCI president-elect Ranbir Singh Mahendra said today. ‘‘So far, we have not received any such request.’’

And he pointed to a hitch if and when the request came through: It would clash with Pakistan’s tour of India in February.

Other officials said the players should focus on domestic cricket. ‘‘What a ridiculous idea. Just because we are free, we go to New Zealand. What about the domestic tournaments,’’ one top BCCI official said.

What could also go against a tour is India’s last visit to New Zealand, where they played on patently underprepared pitches and were thrashed in both the Tests and ODIs.

However, it is a fact that India are a lucrative draw for any host nation. This is the second such time in the past month that India has emerged as a possible standby.

The West Indies’ player disputes had led to speculation that India may be the replacement in the VB Series in Australia that starts in January.

But that dispute has been solved and the Brian Lara-led West Indies is already in Australia in time for the series.

(With agencies)