Bloomsbury signs deal to launch 'Wisden India'

India, the world's biggest nation of cricket fans, is set to get its own version of Wisden after publisher Bloomsbury signed a licensing deal with local firm FidelisWorld.

Wisden India will launch digitally early in 2012, and in print next October.

The Indian cricket media market is highly fragmented and Anand Krishnan, executive chairman of FidelisWorld, said: "With a clear plan and perspective Wisden will become the single true voice and the Home of Indian Cricket."

Bloomsbury will receive an annual trademark licence fee, royalties, recruit and employ staff and control the editorial board. Former Indian captain Rahul Dravid could be an early signing.

Richard Charkin, director of Bloomsbury, said: "India...has one of the highest penetrations of people using mobiles to access their favourite sport. Wisden will be the independent voice of the next generation of Indian cricket fans."

Rights will extend to Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, the Middle East and North America.