Reacting to Rameez Raja's comments yesterday, the highest test wicket-taker told PTI "I endorse Rameez Raja's views and agree about not mixing up politics and sporting contacts.

"But if we had done to Pakistan, what it has done to us (by intruding into Indian territory), would he have said the same thing?" he asked.

"If after that, Rameez still wanted Indo-Pakistan cricket contacts, I'd respect him very much," Kapil Dev added.

Former India batsman Yashpal Sharma announced his total support to his former captain Kapil Dev's demand and criticised Rameez Raja for his reaction.

"I fully, wholeheartedly stand by Kapil, not only as a cricketer but as an Indian," Yashpal Sharma, a key member of the victorious 1983World Cup squad told PTI.

Sharma expressed shock at Rameez Raja's comments and like Kapil Dev asked what would have been Raja's reaction if it was India that had crossed over into territory under Pak-occupation.

"It's very easy to say (of maintaining cricketing ties) sitting far away from the area of conflict," Sharma said and vowed not to play in masters or veteran tournaments where Pakistan was involved.