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Scindia killed in crash

Cricket was just one of Scindia's areas of influence

The Indian cricket team, in Johannesburg preparing for a triangular series with South Africa and Kenya, were said to be shocked by the news.

Scindia, also a senior figure in India's main opposition party, died with seven others when their private plane crashed in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh on Sunday, state officials said.

The aircraft carrying Scindia crashed in Mainpuri district, some 250 km (155 miles) southeast of New Delhi, said Rajendra Bhonwal, divisional commissioner of Uttar Pradesh's Kanpur region.

Scindia, 57, was heir to the former princely state of Gwalior in central India and a former federal minister.

He was flying to Kanpur city from New Delhi, to address a political meeting.

Indian team manager M K Bhargava said the players found it hard to believe the news.

He said: "The boys were all very sad to learn about Scindia's demise. It's a great loss to cricket. He had been very successful as president of the BCCI.

"Under his guidance we have flourished and we were seeking his guidance in the future also. It was a personal loss and shock to me."