A sting operation by a TV news channel has caught a few domestic cricketers claiming that IPL franchises pay them more money than they are entitled to as per the BCCI rules, to retain or lure them from other teams. Shalabh Srivastava, a medium pacer from Uttar Pradesh who is contracted with Kings XI Punjab, is shown alleging that most teams pay players the extra money in black.In the sting by India TV, he names a domestic cricketer in Kolkata Knight Riders, who shifted from the Kings XI, and a Pune Warriors player, who shifted from Royal Challengers Bangalore, claiming they were paid in black by franchises.
Asked about the sting operation, BCCI chief N Srinivasan said,“We will ensure that the integrity of the game is protected. BCCI believes in the integrity of the game. We will take the strictest possible action. We will have to have the tapes and the moment we see it, whoever is the player, we will take very very strict action.”
“If there is any truth in it… It is a fact that we will take strictest action. Even if it means suspending the player immediately. But (that has to be) based on some evidence and fact, for which I have asked the COO of IPL Sundar Raman to request for the tape,” he said.
Srinivasan said he has asked the Governing Council of the IPL so that in the morning there will be a tele-conferencing of the governing council to go into this matter. We will act to show that this is not tolerated."
“IPL, we believe is clean. We have got the Anti-Corruption Unit covering it. They are the in-chanrge of the security. We have got Ravi Swami, who was heading BCCI’s Anti-Corruption Unit to take it up for us.”
"People can make allegations. But if there is any shred of evidence, we will take action.
The BCCI also said in release that it will seek a “complete footage” of the ‘sting operation’ and examined thoroughly.
“The complete footage of the ‘sting operation’ will be sought, and examined thoroughly. The GC will meet on an emergent basis to review the footage and take appropriate strict action,” Board Secretary Sanjay Jagdale said in the release.
The sting operation also claimed Srivastava had also agreed to spot-fixing, but this part is only on audio, and is a bit vague. Srivastava was sent home by Kings XI before the start of IPL V, but is still contracted with the team.
“There is no truth in what they are showing about me. It was just friendly talk. They offered me a contract and I asked them to come to Lucknow, but they never came for this,” said Srivastava, denying any wrongdoing.
MP batsman Mohnish Mishra, of Pune Warriors, is shown on camera claiming his team are paying him Rs.1.45 crore, as much as Rs. 1.2 crore more than his entitled fee as an uncapped player. He gives the undercover reporters the go-ahead to get in touch with other franchisees to get him a bigger contract. A player can’t get in touch with other teams.
Mishra told HT that the person met him as an agent. “I also signed a contract with him which says he will arrange a sponsorship of Rs. 2 lakh per month for me. I bluffed to him saying I’m getting Rs. 1.45 crore from Pune Warriors so that I could get Rs. 2 crore from a future franchise for the next edition. The agent even promised me of getting Rs. 2 crore contract from MI,” Mishra said.
Pune Warriors dismissed the allegations. “It’s absolutely untrue and trash,” Pune Warriors director Abhijit Sarkar said.
Amit Yadav, another Kings XI cricketer, made more serious allegations, claiming spot-fixing happened in the IPL. But the youngster couldn’t substantiate his claim. The BCCI has taken the sting seriously and has called an emergency IPL governing council meeting for Tuesday.
IPL fixing row: BCCI seeks footage of ‘sting operation’ - Hindustan Times