Former cricketer accuses Kapil Dev

Manoj Prabhakar says he has received death threats

By Jill McGivering in Delhi

A former member of India's national cricket team, Manoj Prabhakar, has publicly accused a former Indian captain and leading cricket star, Kapil Dev, of involvement in match-fixing.

Prabhakar accused Kapil Dev at a press conference in Delhi, and he claimed more revelations would follow in a few days' time. Kapil Dev, now the India team coach, has publicly denied any such allegations.

Prabhakar's claims focus on a match between India and Pakistan in 1994 which was part of a series played in Sri Lanka.

He alleges that Dev approached him to offer a substantial sum of money if he would in return under-perform on the field.

Prabhakar claims that he not only refused the offer, but told the team's management, and he criticised them for failing to act on the information.

He said he had since received threats to his life which he thought were related to match-fixing.

Emotional denial

So far, it is one man's word against another's.

Kapil Dev has denied the charges

In a recent interview with the BBC, Mr Dev gave an emotional denial of any wrongdoing.

Manoj Prabhakar says he is now preparing to reveal more information in a few days time which will, he says, substantiate his claims.

This is the latest development in a series of match-fixing claims in recent months which have shocked Indian fans.

A formal investigation is now being carried out by the Indian police.

Prabhakar gave evidence to officials just hours before meeting the press.

Many Indians are passionate about cricket and often given national players star status, a fact which only makes the present suggestion of scandal all the more disillusioning.