Bindra backs Kapil, hits out at BCCI

Former Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president IS Bindra is back in the news. After being a silent spectator over the last few months, Bindra, ignoring the recently framed code of conduct, criticised the working of the board. In the process, Bindra supported the former Indian all rounder Kapil Dev. Hitting out at the board for their handling of Kapil's case, Bindra said "It is wrong on the part of the BCCI to gun for the team coach Kapil Dev though the board had earlier promised all help to him."

Both Bindra and the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) secretary MP Pandove at a press conference in Mohali on Sunday lashed out at the board's policy on the disbursement of funds for needy cricketers. Bindra said "The BCCI has no clear policy on the issue." Citing the case of Saba Karim when he sustained an eye injury during the course of a match in the Asia Cup, Bindra said "He got his eye injured while keeping wickets for the country and when he sought financial help, no such step was initiated by the body. The BCCI lacked vision in Saba's case."

Meanwhile, "Operation Gentleman" seems to be almost over. The Income Tax (IT) authorities are assessing the recoveries from all the lockers seized during the July 20-21 nationwide raid on players, officials and bookies. PTI sources close the IT department said "except for one locker in a remote area of Orissa belonging to a relative of an allrounder, all other lockers had been opened and the IT officials were preparing an appraisal report."

The sources said statements from the players, administrators and bookies were being recorded after questioning them on the seized cash and jewellery from these lockers. On cross-examination of those who were raided, the sources said this will be done after the appraisal report being prepared by the department. The sources added that Kapil Dev will be cross-examined once the agency completes its homework while regarding the others, the process would begin in a week's time. The sources also said the concerned parties will have to explain the bank transactions with regards to unusual withdrawals and deposits made by them.

On the search on Indian off-spinner Nikhil Chopra's house, the department sleuths said the statements of Chopra had been recorded and the search at his premises was complete. The appraisal report on the raids will be complete once Ajay Sharma returns from abroad and his preliminary statement recorded. The CBI team had informed the IT department that Sharma would return by mid-September after completing his contract with an English league club.

On a separate front, former South African captain Hansie Cronje in an interview to a TV channel said he was unaware that he was doing 'something wrong'. Cronje said "Before April 7, I was not aware that what I was doing was that bad. "It was then that I became aware of the Extradition Under Corruption Act. That's when I first realised that what I had done was seriously wrong. My lawyers told me that there was only one way out and that was to tell the truth."

Dismissing reports on former Indian captain Mohd. Azharuddin, Cronje said that the allegation about Azharuddin accumulating wealth by more than $15 million was "just speculation". On the rationale behind his act of providing information, Cronje said "The only explanation I can give is that it didn't affect the way I played on the field. I always gave 100 percent and just furnished information for money. That's how I tried to rationalise it...if I could have it all over, I would change it."

On possible disciplinary action by the UCBSA against his fellow players Herschelle Gibbs and Henry Williams, Cronje said "I view that as the biggest mistake in my life. It was totally wrong and I can't believe I did that. It was wrong of me to put their careers on the line. I'm embarrassed and ashamed that I did it. On Nicky Boje, Cronje said "I'm absolutely convinced that Nicky has never been involved in any wrongdoing and I know that he's always given 100 per cent."