The BCCI will meet in Delhi on Sunday to discuss the court action

The Indian player accused of trying to bribe his way into the national team has filed a court challenge against his suspension.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) barred Abhijit Kale from playing last week pending an inquiry.

The suspension drew strong criticism from Kale and other cricketers.

Kale's attorney Manish Wadekar said: "We have stated the act of suspension is illegal and Kale be permitted to play in Ranji Trophy matches immediately."

Players rally round Kale

Kale's hearing, to be held by VD Kulkarni, a Pune district civil judge, will be held on Thursday.

The Maharashtra state cricket association has stood behind Kale and questioned the BCCI's decision to suspend him without verifying the allegations by selectors Kiran More and Pranab Roy.

Roy told the national board he was offered a bribe of one million rupees (�12,800) by Kale to choose him for the team currently touring Australia, while More complained he had been approached in an "unethical manner".

The BBCI's inquiry held by D.V. Subba Rao, head of the Indian Bar Council, is scheduled to start on Saturday.

Although the state board has backed Kale - its chairman, Balasaheb Thorve, said the player was "denied natural justice" - the regional association has also been named in the court suit.

"The cricket board's suspension order on Kale was served through the Maharashtra association. Hence it's been named as a respondent," Wadekar said.