Murali being victimised, says Shastri

Ravi Shastri believes that Muttiah Muralitharan is being needlessly victimised mainly because he is an Asian. While admitting that Murali's action wasn't without its kinks, Shastri said that there were quite a few bowlers who were "no different from him".

"I don't find anything wrong with his bowling action," said Shastri, speaking at a function to promote the ICC Champions Trophy in Bangalore. "I have no problems with his offbreak. He is an Asian, and that has ruffled quite a few feathers."

A week ago, Murali became the first Sri Lankan to sign with an India-based company when he joined hands with Showdiff Worldwide - Shastri is a vice-chairman - to "explore commercial interests".

According to Shastri, Murali wouldn't have been singled out if he hadn't taken a significant number of wickets in his career. "Muralitharan is being targeted because he is a very successful bowler," he said. He was also critical of the different degrees of flexion that were allowed for fast bowlers and spinners and didn't think there was a need for "different yardsticks".

On a different note, he acknowledged that the present Indian team was getting close to being one of the best Indian teams of all time. However, Shastri reckoned that the Indian one-day team that played between 1983 and 1986 was right on top. That bunch ended up winning the World Cup, the Asia Cup and the World Championship of Cricket in Australia.

"The present team of Sourav Ganguly is close to being one of the best," he said, "but it needs to be consistent, especially in big games." He didn't go along with India's decision to play seven batsmen in one-dayers, and felt that Rahul Dravid should play purely as a batsman. "If six batsmen cannot win games, what can a seventh do?"