Royal Challengers Bangalore's star pacer Mohammed Siraj has reported a “corrupt approach” to BCCI's Anti-Corruption Unit earlier this week, according to a report from news agency PTI. The report mentions that an unknown man wanted inside news about his team before Australia arrived in the country for a full-fledged tour in February this year. The Team India pacer received a call and immediately reported the matter to ACU officials.
According to a source privy to developments, the call wasn't made from a bookie but a driver from Hyderabad.
Also read: Watch: MI's sensational training session footage shows how Arjun Tendulkar executed barrage of perfect yorkers vs SRH
"It wasn't a bookie who approached Siraj. He is a driver from Hyderabad who is addicted to betting on India matches. He had approached Siraj via WhatsApp after losing a lot of money on India games," a senior BCCI source privy to the developments told PTI on condition of anonymity.
"Siraj reported the approach immediately. The law enforcement (Andhra Police) authorities had nabbed the person," the source added.
Since S Sreesanth, Ankit Chavan and Ajit Chandila were arrested on spot fixing charges along with former CSK team principal Gurunath Meiyappan, the BCCI had beefed up its ACU work.
{{/usCountry}}Since S Sreesanth, Ankit Chavan and Ajit Chandila were arrested on spot fixing charges along with former CSK team principal Gurunath Meiyappan, the BCCI had beefed up its ACU work.
{{/usCountry}}Each team has a dedicated ACU official who stays in the same hotel and is there at the ground monitoring all the movements. There is also a mandatory ACU workshop for players on dos and don'ts and if any player fails to report corrupt approach, then there are sanctions in place.
Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan was suspended in 2021 as he didn't report a corrupt approach during his IPL stint in the previous season.
Siraj has been producing impressive performances for RCB in the ongoing season, taking 8 wickets in five matches so far. The RCB have had an inconsistent run in their first five games, winning two. The side is currently at eighth spot in the table with four points to its name.