Familiar outcome; busy in Mohali

Glenn McGrath looked back to his probing best today. If only Vettori and Oram had taken the Kiwis to victory after a great fightback then England might have taken an early Ashes advantage, for what it's worth.

It's been a busy day in Mohali for one Indian media colleague. The ICC handed out some serious paperwork to the media today, so why not delve into several governing body-related pieces Harish has also written: Drugs, Umpire Hair and BCCI all covered. Then there's the Mohali match report.

Facts, stats and rugby tunes

I feel a return to form from Shahid Afridi today. Failing that, I've heard good things said about Jacob Oram. On a decent batting wicket in Mohali there should be some runs found from someone out there.

The PCA Stadium in Mohali is a well-built ground, although the concrete slab opposite the pavilion looks out of place. At least it gives a true reflection of how India goes about its architecture. Click here for some random facts.

Mohali neighbours Chandigarh and, as mentioned in yesterday's post, is home to Kapil Dev, the great all-rounder. The Haryana Hurricane (pictured) has his own boutique hotel-restaurant in the city; there are 10 rooms all named after his achievements like 'Tied Test' (India v Australia, 1986), '432' (World record Test wickets) and 'Four Sixes' (ask Eddie Hemmings).

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A Nutley post from earlier this year:

"Chandigarh is reputed to have one of the largest rose gardens in Asia. There are road lanes, speed limits (of sorts) and the PCA stadium here resembles Hampshire's Rose Bowl. Even Jerusalem rang out over the tannoy before play today; all sweet memories of England. So it was even more of a comfort when I passed a local whose mobile ringtone rang out the BBC's Rugby Special theme tune."

Betting with balls in Mohali

Champions Trophy games move to Mohali this week, home of Kapil Dev and a memorable story involving a British punter caught betting online in the press box earlier this year.

During the second Test between England and India in March, a young British 'journalist' sat down in front of myself and the man from Wisden. His laptop was always half-closed although enough to show the Betfair website. I briefly chatted with him at tea being a fairly novice reporter abroad myself; he was shaking and I took it as rookie nerves, not betting ones.

On the second day, we watched as he was escorted out of the press box by stadium officials and into the hands of the television cameras; tipped off by the journalist who reported him in the first place. He attempted to leg it but found a dead end and so the barraging of questions began.

It emerged that he was 22-year-old Rajeev Mulchandani, an Oxford graduate turned professional gambler, who was rumoured to have won £21,000 over three days. After gaining media accreditation and the use of wi-fi access, it meant he was always one step ahead of the bookies.

Just before he was turfed out we put our mobile numbers on a piece of paper, which was circulated among the press box, for a party at the British High Commissioners that night. A genius idea from one Indian journo as it contained Mulchandani's name and number. Calls to his home in London ensued and stories all over the Indian media the next day. Mulchandani - I'll never forget the name.

Click here to read how events unfolded further.

Trouble looms for Punter

No, it's not Ricky Ponting accepting bribes to throw the Greatest ODI ever.

An update reaches Diary of the British National who gained media accreditation to place bets from the comfort of the Press Box (13 March).

Having been ejected from the PCA Stadium over the weekend, the Oxford graduate-turned professional gambler Rajeev Mulchandani has been taken into Punjab police custody.

He returned to his city hotel in Chandigarh after being escorted from the ground, but obviously didn't use the 24 hours or so any other sensible person would have done to get on the first flight out of the state.

On Monday, Mulchandani got into an argument when he questioned his room bill at the government-run Shivalik View. However, Police were already on the scene, after questions were raised as to why local cricket officials didn't hand him over to the law in the first place. So he's in for a few more rough nights. He's already had his fair share; the beds are like concrete at the Shivalik View.

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Holi, the Hindu festival of colour, has been celebrated across India, bringing to a grinding halt the buzzing chaos of Mumbai.

It marks the arrival of spring - although you wouldn't have believed it if the high temperatures here are anything to go by.

Indians celebrate Holi with real vigour and passion by throwing coloured powders and water balloons at each other in each city's streets before exchanging greetings.

Rod Gilmour in Mumbai

Kapil lights up Mohali

Kapil Dev, India's greatest all-rounder, is back in his home town over the weekend, although indications suggest he is not here just to catch the last three days play of the Test match.

The 'Haryana Hurricane' was caught up in a scandal five years ago, when the former Indian bowler Manoj Prabhakar accused Kapil of offering him money to under-perform during the 1994 tour to Sri Lanka. The alleged incident came to light when former BCCI president and current PCA chairman Inderjit Bindra gave an interview to CNN.

Kapil's company, Dev Musco Lighting, was also responsible for the array of floodlights at the stadium in Mohali and it is rumoured that Kapil, now a successful businessman, is here to make up with Bindra during the next two days.

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At least Kapil will be able to sleep in comfort - he is staying at his hotel 'The Kaptain's Retreat' which also features a restaurant called 'Elevens'.

Kapil opened the hotel after India heroically won the 1983 World Cup Final at Lord's and it now houses most of the memorabilia he amassed during an established career. The boutique hotel also has 10 rooms which are all named after his individual achievements like 'Tied Test' (India v Australia, 1986), '432' (World record Test wickets) and 'Four Sixes' (ask Eddie Hemmings).

A quick survey around the Nobok Legends out here in India tells us that offers haven't been thick or fast for a Gower Wine Bar or a Beefy Basement Pub over the years. However, Mike Gatting's brother-in-law briefly set up a Gatt's Bar in Southern Spain, while Athers says, if anything, a fish and chip shop named after him in the North would do just fine. Watch out for a Kapil Dev video feature between Tests next week.

Rod Gilmour in Chandigarh