The spectre of corruption has reared its ugly head yet again in the controversy-ridden Indian Premier League with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) saying on Friday that a Rajasthan Royals player was approached for spot-fixing last month.
The official confirmation from BCCI came after media reports said the player informed the cricket body’s anti-corruption team that he had been approached by a Ranji teammate with an offer of money if he followed a pre-decided pattern of play.
The latest incident came in the backdrop of a massive shake-up in the BCCI over the 2013 spot-fixing scandal which had led to led to the arrest of three Rajasthan Royals cricketers including former India fast bowler S Sreesanth.
The revelations also came just a day before Rajasthan Royals plays its first match against Kings XI Punjab in the eight edition of the showpiece event.
“A player was approached and he immediately intimated @BCCI anti corruption unit. Glad that BCCI education policy showing positive results,” BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur said in a tweet.
His post added: “Players are alert & they know what is to be done due to our regular education efforts.”
A player ws approachd & he immediately intimatd @BCCI anti corruption unit.Glad tht BCCI educatn policy showing positive results. @ANI_news
Though Thakur did not reveal the identity of the Mumbai-based player, Rajasthan Royals has five cricketers from the city -- Ajinkya Rahane, Pravin Tambe, Dinesh Salunkhe, Dhawal Kulkarni and Abhishek Nayar.
Rajasthan Royals also confirmed the development and promised zero tolerance.
“Over a month ago, a player from Rajasthan Royals was approached inappropriately by a player (who was not part of the IPL) in connection with the Indian Premier League 2015 matches,” RR CEO Raghu Iyer said in a statement.
“Maintaining high standards of integrity, the player informed the Rajasthan Royals management of this inappropriate approach. In keeping with applicable IPL Regulations, Rajasthan Royals management immediately reported the incident to the anti-corruption and security unit (ACSU) of the BCCI.
“Rajasthan Royals commends the player for having reported this incident immediately and for his honesty and uprightness. His dedication to maintain the highest standards of integrity needs to be lauded,” he added.
Iyer said RR will take a very strict view of any corruption.
“This incident does highlight that if players and other officials cooperate and disclose information or approaches immediately, the game can be kept clean and free from undesirable elements and activities,” he said.
The 2013 spot-fixing saga had forced N Srinivasan to step down as BCCI president after his son-in-law Gurunath Meiyappan was found guilty of betting.
RR co-owner Raj Kundra, who wants to give up his share in the franchise now, was also questioned during the investigation was indicted by the Supreme Court-appointed Mukul Mudgal committee.
The scandal was a massive hit to the event’s credibility with the country's apex court raising serious concerns about the conflict of interest and corruption in the league.
Read:Rs 6 lakh, BCCI's average spending per day on legal battles
Read: IPL spot-fixing: BCCI sealed my fate in five minutes, claims Sreesanth
Though Thakur did not reveal the identity of the Mumbai-based player, Rajasthan Royals has five cricketers from the city -- Ajinkya Rahane, Pravin Tambe, Dinesh Salunkhe, Dhawal Kulkarni and Abhishek Nayar.
Rajasthan Royals also confirmed the development and promised zero tolerance.
“Over a month ago, a player from Rajasthan Royals was approached inappropriately by a player (who was not part of the IPL) in connection with the Indian Premier League 2015 matches,” RR CEO Raghu Iyer said in a statement.
“Maintaining high standards of integrity, the player informed the Rajasthan Royals management of this inappropriate approach. In keeping with applicable IPL Regulations, Rajasthan Royals management immediately reported the incident to the anti-corruption and security unit (ACSU) of the BCCI.
“Rajasthan Royals commends the player for having reported this incident immediately and for his honesty and uprightness. His dedication to maintain the highest standards of integrity needs to be lauded,” he added.
Iyer said RR will take a very strict view of any corruption.
“This incident does highlight that if players and other officials cooperate and disclose information or approaches immediately, the game can be kept clean and free from undesirable elements and activities,” he said.
The 2013 spot-fixing saga had forced N Srinivasan to step down as BCCI president after his son-in-law Gurunath Meiyappan was found guilty of betting.
RR co-owner Raj Kundra, who wants to give up his share in the franchise now, was also questioned during the investigation was indicted by the Supreme Court-appointed Mukul Mudgal committee.
The scandal was a massive hit to the event’s credibility with the country's apex court raising serious concerns about the conflict of interest and corruption in the league.
Read:Rs 6 lakh, BCCI's average spending per day on legal battles
Read: IPL spot-fixing: BCCI sealed my fate in five minutes, claims Sreesanth