Ex-cricketers shocked over Samuels issue
Former India coach Sandeep Patil said if such an incident has happened, it was a very 'foolish act' on the part of the player.
The cricket fraternity in India on Thursday, reacted in shock to Nagpur police claims that cricketer Marlon Samuels had links with a bookie which has now put the first one-dayer between India and West Indies in Nagpur under a match-fixing cloud.
A day after the sensational disclosure by the Nagpur Police, former cricketers and administrators said it was a very serious development which has tarnished the image of the game.
Former India coach Sandeep Patil said if such an incident has happened, it was a very 'foolish act' on the part of the player.
"How far it is true, only ICC, BCCI and Nagpur Police can say. These days, the ICC is keeping a watch on this and has an anti-corruption unit. Besides, it tells each and every player how the bookies approach and the dos and don'ts.
"But, even after this, if any player is doing it then it's a foolish and stupid thing to do," Patil said.
Patil, who himself has attended several meetings of the ICC during his stint as the coach of the Kenyan national team, said these days 'it is very difficult for match-fixing to come up again'.
He, however, was confident that no Indian player was involved in such kind of activities. "I am 100 per cent positive that no Indian player is doing this," he said.
Former Indian captain Chandu Borde said the episode was an unfortunate one and the ICC must find out the truth.
"One has to get to the bottom of this to find out the truth. The ICC has to find it out and take befitting action. But, it's unfortunate and should not happen," he said.
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