Kapil bats for Kumble

Chennai, Aug 11 (UNI) Former all-rounder Kapil Dev believes Anil Kumble is the best match-winner India had ever produced and he fumes over the ace spinner's frequent exclusion from the ODI squad.

Kumble had last played for India in the ODI in the Tri-series at Colombo in August last year. Since then, he had not found a place in the squad.

The Asia XI-African XI Match at Centurion on August 17 last year was the last ODI match he had played.

On a promotional tour in the city for ''Crocin Pain Relief'', Kapil sided with Kumble, saying the leggie, with nearly 900 wickets in both forms of the game, deserved to be in the Indian ODI team.

When asked about the chances of former Indian skipper Saurav Ganguly getting back into the Indian ODI team, a visibly annoyed Kapil shot back ''Everyone is talking and writing about him.

''Why are you not raising your voice in support of Kumble?. Why you are not writing about Kumble being dropped from the ODI team?'' he asked.

''He (Kumble) has won more matches for India than Sachin, Sehwag and me. He has been undeservingly dropped. He deserved to be in the one-day team,'' Kapil said.

In his career spanning 16 years, Anil Kumble had taken 533 wickets in 110 Tests, with the best being 10 for 74 against Pakistan at New Delhi, a feat no other Indian had produced.

The 36-year-old, who was instrumental in India winning the test series at Caribbean last month after a very long gap, had taken 329 wickets in 264 ODIS. The best was six for 12 against the West Indies in the Hero Cup final at Eden Gardens.

About sportspersons endorsing Pepsi and Coke, which had been banned in some states, Kapil said the concerned individual should decide about it.

But the Central government should look into the issue strongly and decide on banning them, he added.

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