By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year

July 4 - Cricket legend legend Kapil Dev has thrown his support behind pleas by Commonwealth Games officials for the dates of a Test series between India and Australia to be moved so that it does not clash with the event in New Delhi later this year.



The first Test is due to begin on October 2 in Mohali - the day before the Opening Ceremony in Delhi - and the second on October 10 in Bangalore, which would be due to finish the day after the Closing Ceremony.

Dev, an all-rounder who played 131 tests for India, has revealed that he hopes the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) listens to the request by Suresh Kalmadi, the chairman of Delhi 2010, to consider the rescheduling dates.

Kalmadi has written to India's Sports Minister M.S Gill asking for him to intervene and help persuade the BCCI to move the series.

Dev said: "It all depends upon the administration and decision makers to make the schedule of these events.

"The Commonwealth Games are undoubtedly a prestigious event for the country and I hope that the BCCI and the Government of India would sort out this issue of schedule at the earliest."

But Shashank Manohar, the President of the BCCI, has refused to discuss the possibility of moving the dates of the Test series.

He said: "It's an internal matter between Mr. Kalmadi and the Sports Minister.

"The BCCI has not received any communication, so why should we respond?"

Dev, who led India to victory in the 1983 World Cup final at Lord's, made his comments when he joined several other of the country's sporting legends to take part in the Queen's Baton Relay as it reached Chandigarh.

He was joined by Milkha Singh, the former world record holder for 400 metres and 1958 Commonwealth Games 400m champion, and Abhinav Bindra, who became the first Indian to win an individual Olympic gold medal when he won the 10 metres air rifle event at Beijing in 2008.

Dev said: "It feels good to return to the city that has given me everything, and it's a proud moment for me to be a part of the Queen's Baton Relay.

"I hope we will continue to see the same zeal in the people that we are seeing here today.

"I think the Indian players should do well since we will have the home advantage this time.

"I wish them all luck and may they give their best."

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