MCA yet to know about IPL whistle-blower’s identity

According to the news report, a Mumbai-based Rajasthan Royals player was approached by his Ranji teammate, not part of the Royals’ outfit, with an offer of money.

By (PTI)

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Published: Mon 29 Jun 2015, 1:14 AM

Last updated: Wed 8 Jul 2015, 2:48 PM

New Delhi — It has been more than two months since the issue cropped up, but Mumbai Cricket Association officials are still in the dark about the identities of their two Ranji Trophy players, both the whistleblower and the alleged culprit, who were involved in another IPL-related corruption attempt.

“We have not got any information from the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India, which conducts the cash-rich Indian Premier League) on this issue. No, we have not asked them. They must have either investigated the thing or are still pursuing the case,” MCA’s joint secretary Dr P V Shetty said on Saturday.

On April 10, BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur as well as the Rajasthan Royals team CEO Raghu Iyer had praised the whistleblower for bringing to the BCCI’s Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) about an alleged approach by another individual to corrupt the game. The names of both, described as Mumbai Ranji Trophy teammates in a news report one day earlier to the statements of Thakur and Iyer, were not revealed in the press statements.

According to the news report, a Mumbai-based Rajasthan Royals player was approached by his Ranji teammate, not part of the Royals’ outfit, with an offer of money if he followed a pre-decided pattern of play. The player declined the offer and reported the incident to the BCCI’s ACSU which launched an investigation into the incident. A news report has claimed that it was Royals leg spinner Pravin Tambe, who is also a Mumbai Ranji Trophy cricketer, who was the whistleblower and had reported the approach made to him to the ACSU.

“An inappropriate approach was made to a member of the Rajasthan Royals Team that is currently participating in the Pepsi IPL 2015,” Thakur had said in his April 10 press release. “The player, who was approached, reported the matter to his Team Management immediately, who in turn have reported the incident to the Anti-Corruption Unit of the BCCI. The ACU of the BCCI is currently investigating the matter to ascertain the facts.

“We are happy to note that the prompt action of the player is an outcome of the ongoing initiative of the BCCI to educate cricketers at various levels to reject and report any such incident or approach made by individuals who intend to damage the fabric of the game,” Thakur had said. — PTI


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