Dalmiya rubbishes Bindra's allegations

Former BCCI President Jagmohan Dalmiya on Saturday lambasted friend-turned-foe I S Bindra for levelling 'ridiculous and nonsensical' allegations that he was part of a conspiracy to oust deposed skipper Sourav Ganguly from Team India.

A sworn enemy of Mr Dalmiya, Mr Bindra had on Friday alleged that the former BCCI chief and coach Greg Chappell had hatched a conspiracy to keep Ganguly out of the Indian team.

Mr Dalmiya, addressing a crowded press meet on Saturday, said, "Let them decide once and for all what they will call me. Once they say I am Sourav's godfather and then again they say I am blocking his entry to the side. The allegations are ridiculous and nonsensical.

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"But let me tell you one thing, from Kashmir to Kanyakumari if any deserving player is blocked from entering Team India due to some petty politics, it will not go unprotested," he said, hinting he was not happy with Ganguly's exclusion.

Asked if he had a talk with Ganguly after this was revealed, Mr Dalmiya said, "This was done with specific intention to remove his focus and attention from the game. I called him up last night and told him not to be perturbed by it. I also told him to play his game." Dalmiya then went on to say Ganguly did not need any godfather.

"He is too great a player. He has played for India on his own merit and has captained India on his own merit as well. He will come back to the national side on his own. No one can stop that.

"Just look at the amount of runs he has scored and see if he needs any support to be in the side," Mr Dalmiya added.

- UNI