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One Indian cricket team has withdrawn cheerleaders from matches while others are being told to cover up, after protests that their dances and skimpy outfits were offensive to conservative Indians.

Cheerleaders, many imported from abroad, were hired to liven up India�s new $900 million domestic cricket league in which eight teams play a shortened version of the traditional game.

But while drum players, blaring music and the presence of Bollywood stars cheering among spectators may have livened up stadia, cheerleaders may be one spectacle too far. The sight of many foreign women and Indians dancing in high boots and skimpy shorts sparked anger from both Hindu nationalists, who opposed their open sexuality, and some leftist parties who said it crudely copied Western culture.

Police near Mumbai said earlier this week they would be watching out for indecency both in the cheerleaders� dress and dance routine. The cheerleaders appeared at the match in less revealing outfits � where there were once exposed cleavages, midriffs and thighs; there was now only skin-tight Lycra.

But well-known cheerleaders from the Washington Redskins are still performing for the Bangalore Royal Challengers, and there have been no reports that they have toned down their performances.

INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE

Matches to be played on Thursday

Rajasthan Royals v Kolkata Knight Riders at Jaipur. Start at 3.30pm PST

Deccan Chargers v Kings XI Punjab at Uppal, Hyderabad. Start at 7.30pm PST

Points Table

Team P W L Pts NRR

Chennai 4 4 - 8 +1.091

Rajasthan 4 3 1 6 +0.067

Delhi 3 2 1 4 +1.712

Kolkata 4 2 2 4 +1.453

Punjab 4 2 2 4 +0.294

Deccan 4 1 3 2 -0.090

Mumbai 5 1 4 2 -1.396

Bangalore 4 1 3 2 -2.231

(correct upto start of Wednesday�s match between Delhi Daredevils and Bangalore Royal Challengers)

Source:Cricket News