NEWS
SCHEDULES
COLUMNS
PREVIOUS TOURS
OTHER SPORTS
STATISTICS
INTERVIEWS
SLIDE SHOW
ARCHIVES

Kapil says allegations are 'baseless and malicious'

Former Indian skipper Kapil Dev today dismissed Manoj Prabhakar's allegations that he had offered him Rs 25 lakh to under perform in a Singer Cup match against Pakistan in 1994 as 'baseless and malicious'.

In a statement, the current coach of the Indian team said he is being made the target of a deep-rooted conspiracy.

Reproduced below is Kapil Dev's statement verbatim:

"I have read with shock and anguish the allegations made by Manoj Prabhakar. It is a sad day for me. It is a sadder day for Indian cricket. I wish, I could ignore these baseless and malicious allegations with the contempt they deserve, but I owe it to the nation to personally state that there is no such truth whatsoever in these allegations. All I can say is that I am either being made the target of a deep-rooted conspiracy or a personal jealousy and animosity. The CBI is inquiring into the matter and I request everyone, especially the media, to hold their hands until the CBi completes its investigations, since publicity of reckless allegations can cause irreparable harm.

"I would have liked to personally appear before you but I am an emotional person and am not sure that I can control my emotions, especially my last experience.

"I wish to thanks all those who have sent me telegrams, letters, faxes and given me calls of support and sympathy. I wish to thank you all for the support that I have received."

Later, speaking to UNI, Kapil said he has no intentions of quitting as coach of the Indian cricket team. "I am looking forward to the Asia Cup. I will do my job in Dhaka and come back."

Pressed to comment on Prabhakar's allegation, he said: "Mujhe kuchch nahin kehna (I have nothing to say)," adding that his lawyers will react in an appropriate manner.

"I would prefer not to say anything. Ab kya raha gaya hai (What is left now) ... Bindra has taken my name ... He (Prabhakar) has reportedly told L K Advani ....," the former Indian great lamented.