Six months ago, Abhijit Kale was a hero in his neighbourhood. As Thane’s third cricketer to represent India, and who cares if he played just one match out of five in the series, the entire society at the Abhishek Tower got together for that. Today, they all stayed away. As the BCCI pronounced its almost-guilty verdict, the Kales were marooned in their own ignominy, damned to suffer on their own. With Abhijit in Rajkot, and on his way to Pune, his parents Vasant and Pratibha spent the day in front of the TV, looking for any information that could give them back their respectability. There’s no line of visitors, not even relatives, just grandparents who have dropped in from Ahmednagar. For every visitor that does drop by, the mother breaks down almost instantly and weeps relating the tale of how ‘her son is innocent’. ‘‘He had realised that a chance with the India team would not come through, so he was just looking at playing the whole Ranji season. He has always played on merit and will continue doing so.’’ A close friend and colleague keeps saying ‘‘He can’t do it.’’ While the cricketers from Mumbai or other parts of the country have not called up to show solidarity, the father Vasant is sure that ‘they are with him’. ‘‘Saurav Ganguly and Madan Lal have supported him, so we are relieved about that. He is friendly with everyone and can count on friends like Laxman, Kartik, Dravid and Sachin.’’ Maharashtra coach Paras Mhambrey and skipper Hrishikesh Kanitkar have reportedly expressed solidarity with Kale. But none bothered to call. Soon enough the talk veers around to how the parents reportedly made a trip to Baroda to see a match and meet More. But there are quick denials: ‘‘We have been moving from Ahmednagar to Pune and Thane, and we have not made a single trip to Baroda,’’ Kale’s mother says, dismissing the talk. But what about Kiran More and Pranab Roy’s allegations then? ‘‘We have not even met the MCA selectors, so how can we meet the National selectors?’’ asks the father, while his mother claims she does not even know their names. Just then, Abhijit touches base. ‘‘I’m on my way to Pune and will come back over the weekend,’’ he says and the family is relieved. By then the news of the MCA inquiry trickles in and the family is worried, but are hopeful that ‘finally truth will prevail’. Not sure a person like Kale could do this, says Ganguly
