Bucknor is a liar, says Chetan Chauhan

Chetan Chauhan reacted angrily at the West Indian umpires' allegations and accused him of lying.

West Indian umpire Steve Bucknor's comment that the Board of Control for Cricket in India used its financial clout to have him ousted from the Perth Test of the 2008 India versus Australia series, has not gone down too well with India's team manager during that controversial 2007-08 tour, Chetan Chauhan. He reacted angrily at the West Indian umpire's allegations and accused him of lying. "He is lying," Chauhan fumed. "Not one, not two, but 11 decisions went against us. Obviously, we had to lodge a protest. And we did that vehemently. But to say that the BCCI used its clout to have him (Bucknor) ousted from the Perth Test is ridiculous.

Chetan Chauhan

"I remember, I had said in the press conference after the Sydney Test that even if half the decisions had come in our favour we would have won the match. I am surprised he has the gal to say that he was wrongly removed," the former India opener added.u00a0u00a0

Bucknor was removed from the Perth Test early last year after the BCCI threatened to pull out of the Australian tour due to the West Indian's controversial decisions that largely went against India in the second Test in Sydney.

The 62-year-old umpire's problems were further compounded when the then India captain Anil Kumble filed a negative report against him during the Sydney game.

When MiD DAY contacted Kumble, who announced his international retirement after the third Test of the home series against Australia in Delhi last year, he chose to stay away from controversy.

"I don't want to comment," Kumble said.

Niranjan Shah, who was the BCCI secretary during that period, was equivocal in the defence of the Indian board.

"It is a ridiculous statement," Shah said. The 64-year-old, failed to fathom why the BCCI is always at the receiving end.

"The Australian and England Cricket Boards have always had their way.

"I fail to understand why fingers are raised and tongues go wagging when BCCI is involved in a cricketing matter. I think it's plain jealousy," Shah retorted.