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Cricketer Abhijit Kale denies allegation of bribery
Mumbai, Nov 20: Maharashtra batsman Abhijit Kale has categorically refuted the charges of offering bribe of Rs 10 lakh each to two of the five national selectors. `I am surprised and shocked as I have never even spoken to these selectors. These allegations are baseless,` said Kale.
Mumbai, Nov 20: Maharashtra batsman Abhijit Kale has categorically refuted the charges of offering bribe of Rs 10 lakh each to two of the five national selectors. “I am surprised and shocked as I have never even spoken to these selectors. These allegations are baseless,” said Kale.
"I belong to a middle class family and I have never seen so much money together. I only believe in merit and it is only because of my performance that I have sustained a place in the state team for past 10 years," said Kale in a telephonic interview with Zee News. Kale said that he would move court to prove his innocence.
Ratnakar Shetty, joint secretary BCCI who brought the controversy into focus said he had no idea when these offers were made to the selectors.
BCCI's communication director Amrit Mathur said the board is "ascertaining all the facts" and would come out with a statement tomorrow. Reports are being sent to BCCI president Jagmohan Dalmia and he will hold a press conference tomorrow at 10:30 am. "The board is ascertaining the facts and will come out with an official statement tomorrow," an official said.
"If found guilty strong action will be taken against the player," he said.
Selectors Pranab Roy of East zone and Kiran More (West zone), the duo who was reportedly offered bribes, could not be contacted.
However Sanjay Jagdale, another selector from the East zone, told that he was not aware of any such incident.
"I am not aware of this and I am not in a position to comment. But it is good to hear that the concerned selectors have informed the Board President about this," he said. The 30-year-old Kale, who was not picked in the team, has played only one one-day international. But he has performed creditably in domestic cricket having scored 24 centuries for an aggregate of 6806 runs.
The Maharashtra Cricket Association has expressed shock over the possibility of Kale being the player at the centre of the controversy.
The association, which has summoned Kale to appear before its disciplinary panel tomorrow, has already started an investigation into the matter.
"This is a surprising news for our association. We are inquiring into the matter. Only after the full inquiry we will be able to throw any light... We have called him for an inquiry tomorrow," J U Mitkar, joint secretary of MCA said. Bureau Report
Ratnakar Shetty, joint secretary BCCI who brought the controversy into focus said he had no idea when these offers were made to the selectors.
BCCI's communication director Amrit Mathur said the board is "ascertaining all the facts" and would come out with a statement tomorrow. Reports are being sent to BCCI president Jagmohan Dalmia and he will hold a press conference tomorrow at 10:30 am. "The board is ascertaining the facts and will come out with an official statement tomorrow," an official said.
"If found guilty strong action will be taken against the player," he said.
Selectors Pranab Roy of East zone and Kiran More (West zone), the duo who was reportedly offered bribes, could not be contacted.
However Sanjay Jagdale, another selector from the East zone, told that he was not aware of any such incident.
"I am not aware of this and I am not in a position to comment. But it is good to hear that the concerned selectors have informed the Board President about this," he said. The 30-year-old Kale, who was not picked in the team, has played only one one-day international. But he has performed creditably in domestic cricket having scored 24 centuries for an aggregate of 6806 runs.
The Maharashtra Cricket Association has expressed shock over the possibility of Kale being the player at the centre of the controversy.
The association, which has summoned Kale to appear before its disciplinary panel tomorrow, has already started an investigation into the matter.
"This is a surprising news for our association. We are inquiring into the matter. Only after the full inquiry we will be able to throw any light... We have called him for an inquiry tomorrow," J U Mitkar, joint secretary of MCA said. Bureau Report