NEW DELHI, June 2: Indian batsman Abhijit Kale was banned until the end of 2004 on Wednesday after being accused of trying to bribe his way into the national team.

The Maharashtra player, a prolific scorer in domestic competitions and who has played a One-day International, was censured by the Indian board after two national selectors said he had approached them.

"The disciplinary committee held Kale guilty of gross misconduct and indiscipline," Board of Control of Cricket in India president Jagmohan Dalmiya said.He said no direct proof had been found of a bribe but added: "Kale has accepted the charges and given an unconditional apology letter, so he is not being given a severe punishment."

Kale, who averages more than 58 in first-class domestic cricket, accepted in a letter to the board that he had tried to influence the selectors but said: "With regard to the issue of offering money to the selectors, I wish to state that I was misunderstood and I assure you I had no such intentions."

The 30-year-old, whose single appearance for India was in a one-dayer against Bangladesh in 2003, has been suspended since last November after selectors Kiran More and Pranab Roy said they had rejected an approach to secure him a place in the squad to tour Australia.

The disciplinary committee, however, also criticised More and Roy, both former test players, for not promptly alerting the board and recommended a code of conduct for selectors.

"Whatever the decision, I have to accept it," Kale said, adding that he was determined to come back strongly from the ban. The allegations attracted huge interest in India and sparked a media debate over selection methods. -Reuters