The rights to the telecast of cricket matches played in Sri Lanka are likely to be decided before 6 November. The Sri Lankan cricket board has shortlisted two bidders - TWI and a company backed by Nimbus Communications chief Harish Thawani. Meetings are being held this week in Colombo to decide who will finally pocket the rights.

According to Thawani, it won't be a surprise if his bid proves successful. Sources indicate that he has proposed a joint venture with Sony Entertainment Television, in which Sony will hold a major stake. The new venture will be headed by a senior Sony Enterainment Television executive, and will make a concerted effort to pocket telecast rights for other sports events, apart from creating new ones.

Zee TV, which was one of the bidders that was eliminated, is not too perturbed by Thawani's claims and its own elimination from the bidding. It believes its close relationship with TWI should work in its favour and the rights will come its way should TWI emerge victorious.