Ranbir refutes Ganguly's charges

Ranbir refutes Ganguly's charges
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

NEW DELHI, MARCH 18: Ranbir Singh, Administrative Manager of the Indian Team on the 1991-92 tour of Australia, refuted Saurav Ganduly's charges against him as ``not true'' and asked the current India captain to ``to come out with proof, if he has any''.

``What is intriguing is he chose to make such a statement even after knowing that the Administrative Manager has no say in either the team selection or the field cricket matters. These are dealt (with) by the Cricket Coach or Cricket Manager,'' he added.

Ranbir Singh said his report on the tour was placed before the Cricket Board and no adeverse report against any player was brought to the notice of its members. ``No such thing was mentioned about what Ganguly has alleged,'' he said.

He said ``there is more to it than meets the eye and it is for the Board President (Dr AC Muthiah) to investigate the matter and vindicate my honour as a senior member and former secretary of the Board.''

``If the Board President is satisfied that there is even aniota of truth in what Ganguly alleged, I am prepared to quit from all positions in Indian Cricket. If the Board President is convinced the whole thing has been (done) with malafide intention, then he should punish the guilty,'' he said.

Ranbir Singh expressed his `pain' at the language Ganguly used and the motives attributed to him.

``I can only assure him that I never had any ill-will against him, either in 1991-92 when he was the baby of the Indian team or now when his riding high as a successful captain.

``He has packed his argument on the surmise that I had something against an official of his State Association and I was trying to take it out on him. This is not only untrue, it is too loaded a statement. I can only tell him as his wellwisher not to make such irresponsible statements as India's captain. I wish him all the luck,'' Ranbir Singh added.