As if England's tour of India wasn't already beset by enough problems, the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) have warned that the first Test, which starts on December 3, could be played at an empty ground. The PCA claim that a new entertainment tax levied by the government means that the price of tickets has risen by 125%. The PCA had been assured by the Punjab chief minister that the tax would not be levied on sporting events, but this was overruled by the state's Excise and Taxation department.

"If the government goes ahead with its demand to levy tax, the match would have to be held behind closed gates without getting the tickets printed," said PCA president Inderjit Singh Bindra.

But there is a suspicion that implementation of the levy might be an attempt to obtain more complimentary tickets. "We face this problem every time," one organiser said. "Ministers, bureaucrats, police - they all want to get in free and take families and friends along."

Jagmohan Dalmiya, president of the Indian board, has warned that unless sport is exempted then next year's ICC Knockout, due to take place in India, is also under threat. "If we get the exemptions, we will hold it next year," he said, "otherwise we will ask the International Cricket Council to allot the tournament to us next time."

The PCA are also in dispute with the local police who claim they are owed $180,000 for arranging security during a one-day international against Pakistan in 1999. The PCA deny that any money is outstanding, insisting that it was the duty of the police to provide the service.

© Wisden CricInfo Ltd