MUMBAI: It looks as though Zee, ESPN Star Sports (ESS) and the BCCI will have to wait till next week before they can expect any resolution to the legal dispute on the India cricket rights.

The reason for the delay is that today another high profile case involving Tata Power comes up for hearing. Deliberations on that matter are expected to go on through the whole afternoon. Therefore, the Bombay High Court is seeking a consensus from both ESS and Zees counsel to hold the hearing on either 21 or 22 September (Tuesday or Wednesday).

While ESS counsel expressed concern about the short time window with Australia coming down on 6 October to play a test series, the court representative assured him that the matter would be speedily expedited in one or at the most two hearings.

As had been reported yesterday by Indiantelevision.com, the High Court has asked the Indian cricket board to maintain "status quo" and make a firm commitment that it would not award the contract for telecast rights to any third party until it decides on the ongoing legal dispute.