Murali demands millions from Bedi

The former spinner is asked to pay damages for making "derogatory" comments on Murali's bowling action.

Star cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan has demanded millions of dollars from former Indian spinner Bishan Singh Bedi as damages for making "derogatory" comments questioning Muralitharan's bowling action, an aide said on Tuesday.

"It's a letter of demand that we have sent (Bedi)," Muralitharan's manager, Kushil Gunasekera, told

The Associated Press

.

Gunasekera said Bedi had recently commented that Muralitharan bowled with an illegal action, and called him a "cheat."

The International Cricket Council has created a "monster" of Muralitharan and set a bad precedent by not taking any action against him, Gunasekera quoted Bedi as saying.

"These are derogatory (remarks), and of a personal nature," Gunasekera said.

He said Muralitharan's lawyers have demanded 750 million Sri Lankan rupees ($6.7 million) from Bedi as damages.

Bedi, 60, was an accomplished left-arm spin bowler during his playing days in 1960s and 70s.