The first issue runs to 124-pages, with a special 32-page preview supplement on the eagerly anticipated India-Pakistan series. Cover features include a wide-ranging conversation with Indian captain Rahul Dravid, who shares his vision for Indian cricket, and national coach Greg Chappell talking about his methods.

There’s a special 20-page feature on fast bowling down the years, where the likes of Wasim Akram, Allan Donald, Wes Hall, Shoaib Akhtar, Javagal Srinath, John Snow and Andy Roberts talk about their craft.

The lead-up to the Pakistan series features an analysis of how Pakistan have grown as a team in the recent past, and an exclusive interview with the team’s coach, Bob Woolmer.

Other features include interviews with Chaminda Vaas, Ian Healy and Virender Sehwag, a look back at one of Garry Sobers’s classic innings, and a critique of the world of the cricket autobiography in the light of Steve Waugh’s memoirs.

The magazine is a five-course affair. ‘Shots of the Month’ offers a selection of the best photographs from the month gone by. ‘The Score’ features short interviews (the inaugural issue has Simon Taufel and Dwayne Bravo), columns, quotes, stats, trivia, offbeat pieces, and humour. The mid-section presents essays, long interviews, profiles and other features. ‘Replay’ revisits the previous month’s on-field action, with an emphasis on the bigger picture rather than rote match reports. And ‘Pavilion’ serves up a palette of reflective articles, reviews and other features that capture the beauty and romance of the game.

Cricinfo Magazine is edited by Sambit Bal and produced by the editorial team behind Wisden Asia Cricket. The new magazine is priced at Rs. 40 and, while retaining the core values of its admired predecessor, will contain more pages and additional features. Regular contributors include Harsha Bhogle, Sanjay Manjrekar, Mukul Kesavan, Peter Roebuck and Gideon Haigh.

“Cricinfo Magazine will share the values that have made the website so successful,” Tom Gleeson, CEO of the Wisden Group said, “but it will also enable us to showcase the finest cricket writing and photography in the best possible format.”

Prakash Iyer, MD, Infomedia India, said: “Cricket is India's number one passion, and given that there is no specialist magazine of real quality in India catering to cricket lovers, we are looking to fill the void with Cricinfo Magazine.”

“The world's largest and most passionate cricket audience deserves a truly world-class magazine. We will ensure that Cricinfo Magazine becomes the Indian fan's can't-put-down-companion”, he added.