BCCI dismisses Kambli's charge of racial bias

The Board of Control for Cricket in India on Tuesday dismissed as "baseless" former India batsman Vinod Kambli's charge that he was a victim of racial discrimination in selection matters.

Kambli, who began his career with much promise but fizzled out after innumerable comebacks, is reported to have made these allegations against the BCCI in a TV reality show, on which he also spoke against his childhood friend Sachin Tendulkar for not helping him enough.

"It is completely a baseless and uncalled for charge. BCCI does not believe in getting into all this. In fact, BCCI is one body which is fighting against racism at the international level," BCCI's Finance and Media Committee chairman Rajiv Shukla said.

Shukla said selectors always took performance-based decisions while choosing the national team.

"It was purely performance-based decision. Selectors take only performance-based decisions and the same yardstick was used for Kambli," he added.

On Kambli's remarks about Tendulkar, Shukla defended the batting maestro, saying he always helped his teammates.

"Tendulkar is one man who has always been helping all the players, even the juniors. This charge cannot be subscribed against Tendulkar," Shukla said.

In the TV reality show, the 37-year-old Kambli is reported to have said that Tendulkar did not help him when he was on the decline.

"We are very close... We were very close. He could have done a little more, but he didn't," Kambli was quoted as saying by a newspaper.

About the BCCI, Kambli said, "I always felt discriminated because of my cast and colour by the Cricket Board."

Despite repeated attempts, Kambli could not be reached for his comments, but one of his associates said the former player will address the media later in the day.