Radio broadcast reaches out to more than 90 per cent of the Indian population, and rural India is still very much dependent on it for most of the information.

Unfortunately, for those, who have radio commentary as the only medium to follow the live updates of the ICC World Cup in England and Wales, there is bad news in store.

There will be no live audio commentary of the World Cup after Prasar Bharti submitted before the Delhi High Court that it will not take the feed from India Sports Flashes Pvt Ltd, which has the rights for the live audio feed of the ICC World Cup to be aired across Sports Flashes app and web platforms.

India Sports Flashes Pvt Ltd had submitted before the Delhi High Court that as per the Sports Broadcasting Signals (mandatory sharing with Prasar Bharti) Act 2007, they cannot broadcast radio commentary of any sports event of national importance unless it simultaneously shares the live broadcasting signal with Prasar Bharti.

"The terms and conditions shall also provide that the advertisement revenue sharing between the content rights owner or holder and the Prasar Bharti shall be in the ratio of not less than 75:25 in case of television coverage and 50:50 in case of radio coverage," reads a sub-clause in section 3 of the Act.

Prasar Bharti challenged the submissions made by the petitioner, contending that Sports Flashes in neither a radio channel nor a licensee for providing such services.

The Delhi High Court has ruled that neither Sports Flashes "is obliged to share such feed nor Prasar Bharti is obliged to accept the same."

Whoever may claim victory in this battle fought in the courtroom, but fans, who were relying on All India Radio (AIR) commentary to get ball-by-ball updates from England, will feel lost out.