Kale 'shocked and disappointed'

Maharashtra [ Images ] middle order batsman Abhijeet Kale expressed shock and disappointment at claims allegedly made by two national selectors that he offered them Rs one million each to gain a berth in the India [ Images ] `A' team for the home series against Sri Lanka [ Images ] 'A'.

Speaking to rediff.com, he said, "On what basis have these allegations been made. I have never met these selectors nor have I offered them any money. I have played cricket on my own merit for the last 10 years. Check my record, I have 24 centuries and average 58. Why would I do such a thing, that too for an India `A' tour?"

Kale, who was aboard a train to Rajkot when contacted on phone, said he is from a middle-class family and does not have that much money to offer anyone.

"I earn Rs 20,000 a month and support my family. I cannot even imagine how they have made an allegation like this. I don't even know these selectors personally. They have never talked to me," the 30-year-old player asserted.

So how will he respond to the charge?

Kale said, "I will ask questions of the Board [Board of Control for Cricket in India]. In logo ne mere career ki waat laga di [These people have ruined my career]. I will speak to my family and decide what I will do from hereon."

What is intriguing is the amount allegedly offered to the selectors by Kale. Why would a cricketer offer two million rupees for an India `A' tour which would earn him just about a 100,000 rupees?

Kale made his international debut against Bangladesh in the TVS [ Get Quote ] Cup, played in Dhaka in April this year, and was not even among the 36 probables for the recent conditioning camp in Bangalore, prior to the New Zealand [ Images ] Test series.

Two years ago, playing for India `A' against England [ Images ], he scored 122 in Jaipur [ Images ].