Men in Blue to give Rs 1 crore to hockey team

New Delhi: Indian cricket team on Thursday decided to pitch in with their bit for the national game.

Members of the Indian cricket team who are presently touring Bangladesh have pledged to contribute Rs 1 crore for the hockey team.

Former India skipper Sunil Gavaskar reportedly came up with the idea before the tri-series final on Wednesday and spoke to current skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Harbhajan Singh.

Both Dhoni and Harbhajan agreed to the proposal and said that they would come up with the amount irrespective of India's fortunes in the forthcoming Hockey World Cup.

Meanwhile, all seems well for the national game as after six days of revolt, the Indian men's hockey team players on Thursday were back on the field in Pune to train for the upcoming World Cup.

Hockey players on Wednesday forced Hockey India to agree to their demand of clearing their unpaid dues before the World Cup.

The team resumed practice in Pune for the World Cup, which starts on February 28.

The preparatory camp had been put on hold for the past few days.

The players' fight over better pay ended on Wednesday with Indian Olympic Association President Suresh Kalmadi and former hockey team skipper Dhanraj Pillai brokering peace between the players and Hockey India.

The dues will be cleared before the World Cup and they have also been assured of a system of graded contracts.

The players also met Pakistani singer Salma Agha at the sports complex on Wednesday, who had promised them help when the revolt was on.