It's Kapil, says Prabhakar

Manoj Prabhakar finally broke his silence in the evening on May 24. Speaking to the web site tehelka.com, Prabhakar confirmed that it was indeed Kapil Dev who offered him money to "throw a match" in Sri Lanka in 1994. Prabhakar first only nodded in affirmation to the interviewer's question but later said "He is one of the greatest players in the history of cricket. His name is Kapil Dev" when asked who offered him money to underperform.

Narrating the events on that day, Prabhakar said that Kapil Dev came to his room when he was shaving saying that he had an offer to make. Prabhakar listened on thinking it was an offer of a sponsorship. When he heard the offer, Prabhakar claims that he angrily refused. ``I shouted at him and the outburst was heard by Nayan Mongia and Prashant Vaidya who were staying in the adjoining room. They dropped in to enquire about what had happened.'' Navjot Sidhu, his room mate, was also aware of the developments, according to Prabhakar.

Following the incident, Prabhakar says he informed both Ajit Wadekar, the manager and Md Azharuddin, the captain. He also related the matter to Sunil Gavaskar and Ravi Shastri who were there as TV commentators. ``But I was surprised that no one was taking the matter seriously for whatever reason.'' He said the lukewarm response had prevented him from reporting the incident before. ``I told the Board, I told the Chandrachud panel, but no one listened. I was waiting for Kapil to confess. But since he has not done so, it is my duty to expose him. Ask him to face me in the eye. I have made no mistake. I know what happened. Kapil knows and so does God.''

Prabhakar was dramatic at times and even put his hand to his heart and swore that everything he said was true. One remembers Kapil Dev's interview to BBC World where Karan Thapar asked the former Indian captain to put his hand to his heart and say that he had not indulged in match fixing. At that time, Kapil Dev was excessively enotional and refrained from doing so.

When contacted neither Wadekar nor Sidhu were available to comment.

Kapil Dev also refused to comment on the issue and said that his lawyers would respond to Manoj Prabhakar first thing Thursday morning.

Earlier in the day, Prabhakar testified before the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The contents of his testimony have not been made public.

After Hansie Cronje's revelations, the cricketing world was further rocked when former Indian Board President IS Bindra revealed on CNN that Prabhakar had named Kapil Dev as the player who had offered him money to "throw a match".

Prabhakar confided this to Bindra in the presence of two witnesses, one of whom was Board member MP Pandove. This is first time Prabhakar has confirmed Bindra's statement, to the press.

Kapil Dev has staunchly denied the allegations from the moment they were made public, most notably in an emotional and tearful interview to BBC World.

After finishing with tehelka.com, Prabhakar found the press waiting for him. Speaking to them, Prabhakar confirmed what he had earlier stated.

With Prabhakar's virtual confirmation, the pressure will mount on Kapil Dev to address the allegations in a much firmer manner. And soon. Prabhakar has also expressed hope that other cricketers would second his story. Whether they will choose to come forward at this point is anyone's guess.