New Delhi, Nov 24: With the probe into bribery charge set to begin on November 29, former cricket board officials today added to the swelling sympathy for tainted batsman Abhijit Kale slamming the manner in which he was suspended and calling for a thorough probe. After a few first-class cricketers came out in the open to support Kale and accused the selectors instead of foul play, former BCCI treasurer Kishore Rungta and ex-chairman of selection committee Chandu Borde today stood by Kale who has also been backed by his state association and Indian Cricket Players Association.
Borde was critical of the board for suspending Kale without giving him a chance to prove his innocence in the aftermath of two national selectors alleging that he had offered to pay Rs 20 lakh for a place in the national side.
"Unless Kale is proved guilty of charges made by the two selectors he cannot be punished," Borde told reporters from Pune.
"Unfortunately the board has punished him by suspending him from playing first class matches that too just before the start of the season," Borde said while terming the suspension as "unprecedented and totally one-sided".
Rungta, who relinquished the post of treasurer a couple of months back, added fuel to the raging controversy saying allegations of selectors accepting money for favours had been simmering for long and it was time a thorough probe was launched to look into the whole issue.
Bureau Report