Bengal cricketers defend Kapil

Even though some of the most reputed cricketers of the country have refused to comment on the Kapil Dev issue, Bengal has decided to stand firmly behind the integrity of India's best all rounder. Most of the cricketers here have defended Kapil Dev, quashing I.S.Bindra's allegation. Even sports persons from other sphere of sports have defended Kapil.

Former national selector Sambaran Banerjee is of the opinion, that I.S.Bindra is moving in a planned manner to attract attention. In his column today, Banerjee has written, "It appears to me that Bindra has some specific plans in mind. Otherwise, how did he expect to attend the ICC meeting at London when he does not hold a post at the BCCI. Moreover, why did he keep quiet for three years when he has said that Manoj Prabhakar revealed the name in 1997. He could have mentioned Kapil Dev's name a long time back. I am also surprised at his decision to reveal the name to a foreign channel when he could have easily done so to the CBI. The officials of this game here should try and clean the game rather than go about making allegations."

Another former Ranji Trophy star from Bengal, Gopal Bose today said, "I do not believe any of the statements made by I.S.Bindra. From what I have seen of Kapil Dev during his entire cricketing career, I cannot mention even a single instance where he was giving less than 100 percent. I cannot doubt his integrity for a moment. The allegations are entirely baseless."

Another former Indian cricketer Arun Lal, who is also a close friend of Dev said, "I am shocked to know that people have the audacity to accuse Kapil Dev. What can I say ? The allegation itself is not worthy of any comment."

Raju Mukherjee, who captained the East Zone cricket team for quite sometime was quite attacking. "Who will believe such comments. Unless, proved, I have no time to give any importance to such baseless comments."

Former national footballer and coach, Padmashree P.K.Banerjee has also defended Kapil Dev. "He is a great player and I cannot doubt his integrity. On his own, he has won us so many matches. How can people accuse him. However, I am shocked because importance is being given to such a person who has never delivered with the bat and ball on the ground. Why do we have to give so much importance to such officials."

Meanwhile, in an interview to a Bengali daily in Calcutta, Kapil's wife Romi Dev has stated, "The whole thing has been quite unbelievable. I have seen, how Kapil has always tried to do his best for the country. He has ignored pain to play for India. And now some people are trying to mark him out as a criminal. I really do not know what to say."