Sympathy wave for Kale in Pune

PUNE: Abhijit Kale is riding the sympathy wave of his supporters here, but the tide hasn’t turned his way. Besides appearing before the Maharashtra Cricket Association’s (MCA) three-man committee on Saturday, Kale also met the mighty and influential in the city.
According to sources, Kale was even advised legal action against the decision to suspend him pending inquiry.The option of postponing the Maharashtra vs. Saurashtra Ranji Trophy game, starting in Rajkot on Sunday, was also explored.
BCCI chief Jagmohan Dalmiya’s decision to suspend Kale, has been severely criticised by Kale’s ambitious well-wishers. Pune industrialist Ajay Shirke, who had created a legal stir by taking the elected MCA managing committee members to the court, said: ‘‘Dalmiya may have the right to suspend a player. But he should have used his power judiciously. Even during the match-fixing inquiry, the alleged players were allowed to play. It is against natural justice to take away Kale’s right to play. On the other hand, the selectors have kept their posts. Kale should have been considered innocent until proven guilty. The ban could even harm team’s chances in Ranji Trophy.
Kale plays for Shirke’s United Club in local league and the industrialist has promised all possible help to the player in this battle. Even former MCA chairman Dnyaneshwar Agashe joined the ‘Support Kale’ act through his reaction in a local newspaper on Saturday.
While there was enthusiasm to act against Dalmiya’s decision, which even included an attempt to get a stay order against Kale’s suspension, there is also a fear of backlash.
Meanwhile, Balasaheb Thorve, chairman of ad-hoc MCA managing committee, also tried to pressurise BCCI by demanding the suspension of selectors Kiran More and Pranob Roy from the selection panel till the inquiry is completed.