May 01, 2008	Thursday	Rabi-us-Sani 24, 1429

MUMBAI, April 30: Indian cricketers need professional help to cope with their fame and wealth, Test captain Anil Kumble said on Wednesday.

Kumble’s comments in a newspaper column came two days after his spin partner Harbhajan Singh was banned for the remainder of the cash-rich domestic Twenty20 league after being found guilty of slapping compatriot Shanthakumaran Sreesanth.

“There’s so much money in the game now, especially with the IPL,” Kumble wrote.

“Instead of people blaming whatever happens on “too much money” or justifying incidents by saying things happen in the heat of the moment, it’s important that someone ensures that players are given the right kind of advice, that there are professionals to help them cope with fame and the money it brings,” he expressed.

“Education is essential here and should be made part of the system.”

India has the largest global cricket audience and multi-million sponsorship deals.

“Players need to learn to respect the opposition and, most importantly, gain the respect of everyone. It’s important to understand what you should not say instead of what you would naturally say,” Kumble wrote.—Reuters