Muthiah lashes out at Kapil

In a hard-hitting statement on Wednesday, Board of Control for Cricket in India president A C Muthiah declared: "Kapil Dev is not a paragon of virtue; India has lost a home series under his coaching."

Talking to PTI, Muthiah said Kapil Dev did not have enough expertise to comment on the working of the board.

Asked whether the board received Kapil's report after the December - January 2000 Australian tour, Muthiah replied that Kapil had talked about the need for professionalism in the board in his letter.

When pressed further for an answer, Muthiah said: "If he is a professional, Kapil should answer whether he has sent the report. If he has sent the report it would be only in the possession of the board president."

Reacting to Kapil Dev's three-page resignation letter, Muthiah said, "The idea of calling Kapil Dev to coach the Indian probables at Chennai for the Nairobi tournament was not stage-managed. My instruction is carried out by Jayawant Lele, and at that time Kapil was not thinking of quitting," he added.

Muthiah said the board is looking at the possibility of employing a foreign coach and an Indian coach as well.

Stating that either John Wright of New Zealand or Geoff Marsh of Australia would be the foreign coach, Muthiah said the board's AGM in Chennai will take a decision on the appointment of coaches.

Stressing the importance of appointing a foreign coach, Muthiah said foreign coaches are well versed with the latest developments. He said the Indian coach could take over from the foreigner at a later stage.

He said the appointment of Anshuman Gaekwad was only a 'temporary arrangement'.

"Initially he was reluctant but we persuaded him to accept the post," he added.

On the proposed National Cricket Academy, Muthiah said the board is keen on establishing it wherever possible. "But only the Tamil Nadu government is willing to give land, which was examined by Rodney Marsh on Wednesday," he said.

Both Rodney Marsh and Raj Singh Dungarpur were impressed about the land, located at Sholinganallur, he said.

Muthiah said the board has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Karnataka State Cricket Association. "We will be using their facilities for the time being," he said.

Mail Cricket Editor