MUMBAI: Following an assurance from the Indian cricket board that the logo issue would be resolved before next year's World Cup, Sahara India is back as Indian team sponsor.

The Subrato Roy promoted Sahara group had withdrawn its sponsorship just ahead of the recently concluded Champions trophy in Sri lanka following objections from one the International Cricket Council's global sponsors South African Airways that that its logo was advertising a competitor. The group also runs a domestic airline service - Sahara Airlines.

"On the request of Shri Jagmohan Dalmiya, president BCCI (Board of Cricket Control in India), and with strong desires of members of Indian cricket team and in the best interests of cricket... Sahara has decided to continue to be with the Indian cricket team," a company statement released today said.

Sahara said the decision was taken following an assurance from the Board of Cricket Control in India regarding the "resolution of the logo issue prior to the World Cup 2003."

But the group also indicated that it had not quite decided to let the issue of the company's logo being forcibly kept off the Indian team shirts during the Champions pass quite so easily. The release said all appropriate legal action would be taken against all parties that might be responsible for non-display of Sahara's branding on team clothing during the Champions Trophy and "shall seek suitable damages."