India 2011 World Cup winning team member being probed for possible match-fixing syndicate
A former India player, who was a part of the World Cup-winning squad in 2011, is under scrutiny for match-fixing ties in Rajputana Premier League (RPL) in Rajasthan. It is learnt that the former player was present on the sidelines of the tournament that witnessed som`e bizarre phases of play.
One of the most defining moments in the Indian cricket history is the 2011 World Cup win and it was indeed a special moment for each member of that team. However, a member of that World Cup-winning team is being probed for possible match-fixing links to a match-fixing syndicate that organised Rajputana Premier League (RPL) which is a domestic T20 tournament in Rajasthan. The RPL is a tournament which involved club cricketers and was also telecasted live on Neo Sports, which was the rights-holders of the Indian cricket in the late 2000s.
According to The Indian Express, this had come to the notice of BCCI’s Anti-Corruption Security Unit (ACSU) last year. The matter is currently being investigated by Rajasthan Police’s CID and sources said that the Rajasthan Police have identified that the mastermind of the “organised cricket racket” who partly supported the RPL has business links with the former international player. This former player has played for India in all three formats of the game.
It is learnt that this former cricketer was seen on the sidelines during the tournament and he was mainly spotted when there were some bizarre and weird phases in the game. For instance, a bowler bowled two huge wides (which went to the boundary and resulted in 5 runs) with 12 runs needed in the last over. These were wides that went way down the leg-side (barely landing on the pitch). Hence, subsequently, the BCCI requested the Rajasthan Police to probe the league.
Last year in July, 14 people were arrested from four different hotels in Jaipur for suspected betting and fixing activities linked to the RPL. It is through the investigation of these people that the police got to know about the former player. However, these people are currently out on bail but the cash, laptops, mobile phones and walkie-talkies were got back. The case was then transferred to the Rajasthan Police CID in November last year.
“We are currently probing links between private entities, those who are part of the cricket fraternity and officials. We will take action if there is evidence that links them to corruption,” Additional DGP CID (Crime) Pankaj Kumar Singh was quoted saying by Indian Express.
According to sources, the bookies and fixers have a new method of dealing with things. For example, a “spotter” or “handler” is stationed at a particular strategic spot which is just outside the ground and is usually overseeing things. He stands outside the ground to ensure that the pre-planned script (or pattern) of play is followed. That “spotter” then conveys instructions and information from bookies through walkie-talkies used by field umpires, who inform the players.
“This is a new methodology bookies and fixers have come up with. They host a private T20 tournament, select a venue and arrange to have it telecast. Because if you telecast it, then the bookie community and betting community gets involved and everyone sitting in a drawing room can bet,” BCCI ACSU’s former chief and current advisor Neeraj Kumar was quoted saying by Indian Express in February.
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