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Kapil is lying, says Lele

Last Thursday, Jaywant Lele, the secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, lashed out at Indian cricket coach Kapil Dev for asking Ajit Agarkar to bowl at the nets in Ahmedabad despite being refused permission for the same. Kapil, in turn, said he sought the services of Agarkar only after obtaining BCCI president A C Muttiah's permission.

Yesterday, Faisal Shariff spoke to Lele regarding the controversy. Excerpts from the conversation:

Mr. Lele, why did you refuse Kapil Dev's request to have Ajit Agarkar with the team in Ahmedabad?

I had objected to the request because I am not convinced that Ajit is fully fit. Every time he produces his fitness certificate and one day before the tour he will report unfit. And this has not happened once but twice. Once, before the New Zealand tour, and once, before the Lanka tour. I do not trust his fitness reports anymore. We want to test his fitness ourselves. This is not sure but we would want Dr. M S Saraf, a doctor from Bombay Hospital, to have a look at Ajit.

Also, Ajit cannot just leave his match in Bombay and go to practice with the team. There are some rules and regulations which the players must respect. When I say no going to Ahmedabad...I mean no going to Ahmedabad.

Then why did Ajit go to Ahmedabad? Am I a fool? I will not go by what reports he gives us.

But Kapil has said that he has taken permission from Muttiah, the president of the BCCI?

No, he has not. It is a lie. I have spoken to the president and he has said that he has not been asked.

So, is Kapil lying?

Hundred per cent... In fact, 200 per cent lies. He is lying! (Screaming his lungs out) And I will question him tomorrow when I come to Ahmedabad. I will ask him when he spoke to Muttiah.

Are you planning to take action against Kapil?

What action? I will ... in fact I have proved that he is lying. Now, what action will be taken will be decided at the working committee meeting. There is a limit to these things!

Sir, you know what a big personality Kapil is... Are you ready to take him on?

If he is big then what am I? I am the secretary of the BCCI. I am no less. And who ever goes against my ruling will have to pay the price. Do you know that I am in charge of this matter? Even president Muttiah cannot say anything to my decision. The decision to send a player with the Indian team is mine; the secretary's alone. I will prove this as well tomorrow.

Sir, this whole issue will snowball into a big controversy? Are you ready for it?

Of course! When some people will go according to their wishes they will be made to answer. I don't care what controversy this will create I will take care of the whole thing.

When is the selection of the Indian team for Australia?

Tomorrow the team will be announced... in the evening.

But I thought the team was to be announced on the last day of the Test? Tomorrow is only the fourth day.

(Raging with anger) I am the secretary of the BCCI. When I am making an official announcement that tomorrow the team to go to Australia will be decided, then why are you trying to act smart with me? I know that tomorrow is the fourth day. And I repeat that the team will be announced tomorrow evening. That's it.