Stars like Virat Kohli or MS Dhoni have much more to lose than gain if they get involved in fixing, says ACU chief
Ajit Singh Shekhawat, chief of BCCI’s Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU), is confident that none of the major players like Virat Kohli or MS Dhoni will ever get involved in match-fixing as they have a lot to lose. Shekhawat also shed light on the BCCI’s measures to snuff out the bookies from the country.
Recent allegations of corruption against the Tamil Nadu Premier League – and news of a bookie approaching a woman cricketer – has sparked discussions on the integrity of the gentleman’s game. However, Shekhawat is confident that such bookies or fixers would never waste their time in trying to approach the top stars of the game.
"If you ask me, today in cricket, a star has much more to lose than gain if he gets involved in this. Imagine a Virat Kohli or Dhoni getting into this. Things don't just move by money, it is also the reputation that counts. They can't sacrifice their reputation for such things. They are far bigger than all this,” Shekhawat told IANS, reported TOI.
"Even if you are talking just in financial terms, do you think they will get involved -- both in terms of the endorsement that they get because of their reputation and star power, as also the other benefits that they get. Betting wouldn't give them a small percentage of that money," he explained.
With the BCCI adopting a zero-tolerance policy towards match-fixing and other forms of corruption in the game, it seems that the culprits are moving abroad to engage in their activities.
"These people (fixers and bookies) are looking at whatever opportunities they can get. If they can't get into any tournament, they start their own leagues. They are now moving to new countries and in the name of promoting the sport, they organise tournaments and get teams. They pretend to be working for the game,” Shekhawat said.
"It is getting difficult for them and so they have to find different ways and means as they can't carry on their business in traditional cricket. This has seen them organize leagues outside. We keep feeding ICC the information we get and they scuttled some of the tournaments like the Afghan Premier League was held only for one edition,” he continued.
However, the ACU chief is adamant that the lawmakers have to adapt the written law to make them more effective in bringing charges against such offences.
"Right now, corruption in sports is not such a big offence in India. Things will change if that is changed because it will give the police a clear cut law to rope them in. Some interpretation of the existing law needs to be put into effect in a way that it covers the area. If it is based on interpretation then everyone has their own interpretations," Shekhawat added.
