Ganguly backs Abhijit Kale

Sourav Ganguly has come out in defence of Abhijit Kale, who has been accused of offering bribes to two national selectors for a place in the Indian team.

"I find it difficult to believe that Kale offered bribes to the selection committee," Ganguly told Aaj Tak, a television news channel. "I have known him for a very long time and he is not the sort of person who will offer a bribe to anyone."

Kale had been summoned before a disciplinary committee - comprising Jagmohan Dalmiya, the board president, and Kamal Morarka and Ranbir Singh Mahendra, the two vice-presidents - on April 29 for what was supposed to be the final hearing, but the committee then decided to conduct a few more meetings before arriving at a conclusion. The final decision on the issue is now expected only by the end of May.