2011 World Cup Indian team member under focus in match-fixing probe: report

NEW DELHI: A member of India’s 2011 World Cup-winning squad is being summoned for questioning to investigate for possible links in a match-fixing scandal relating to the domestic T20 tournament in Jaipur last July.

Rajputana Premier League (RPL) had come under the scrutiny of BCCI’s Anti-corruption Security Unit (ASCU) last year causing an investigation led by the Rajasthan Police’s CID.

According to reports Rajasthan Police has found the mastermind behind the infamous cricket racket who was part of the organizing committee in RPL. He has business links with the former international player who represented India in all three formats of the game.

The former player in question had been spotted on the sidelines of the tournament that witnessed bizarre passages of play. In one incident the bowler conceded eight byes by bowling “blatant wides” in the final over of a tight contest.

Relevant information has been obtained by the police regarding the former player after questioning 14 persons arrested from four hotels last July as they were suspected to be a part of the betting and fixing activities linked to the RPL. All arrested are currently out on bail later the case was transferred to the CID last November.

Some Organizers, players, umpires, and bookies are also said to be involved in the racket. Police confiscated cash, mobile phones, walkie-talkies and laptops associated with the case.

Additional DGP CID (Crime) Pankaj Kumar Singh said, “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,”

“This is 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,” Kumar had said.