Graft in Cricket: Heartburn for Lovers of Game, Calls for Clean-up

Expose on pitch curator willingly sharing details of the pitch with outsiders reveals systemic malaise in cricket.

(Photo: Rahul Gupta/ The Quint)

Indian cricket has suffered another blow in the form of a curator – Pandurang Salgaonkar – breaching the existing rules, sanctified by both the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Salgaonkar gave access to two journalists to the pitch and surrounding area of the arena where the ODI against New Zealand was to be played.

This was the result of a sting operation conducted by a prominent English weekly. We need to compliment the latter.

Also Read: “BCCI Panel Asked Us to Remove Grass on Pune Pitch”: MCA Curator

Grim Reminder of Match Fixing Scandals

What was caught on camera included not only the images of the two journalists involved, but the voice of Salgaonkar (well known former pace bowler) who responded to questions on the nature of the pitch, etc. Reports suggest that Salgaonkar demanded compensation for the information he parted with. If this was true, it is disgraceful.

While we should not blow the episode out of proportion, it cannot be ignored either. It reveals a fundamental flaw in human character rather than a deep malaise in Indian cricket.

To view it as a simple systemic failure will, however be erroneous. I am personally aware that much has been done since 2000, when, for the first time a match fixing incident happened on our shores.

Former Indian captain Azharuddin was embroiled in a match fixing scandal and paid a huge penalty by losing the right to play the game again. Later, his acquittal by a court on technical grounds was irrelevant.

File photo of Mohammad Azharuddin. (Photo: Reuters)

Also Read: Vinod Rai Defends BCCI’s Anti-Corruption Unit in Pitch Incident

Let-down for Cricket Afficionados

My memory goes back to those days when, as CBI Director, I had supervised that enquiry. I was appalled at the nexus between the underworld and reputed cricketers who were not really living in penury.

The episode shocked the conscience of cricket administrators and those interested in a clean sport across the world.

From then on, the ardent lover of the game thought whatever he saw in the middle of a field was a make-believe. That was a real tragedy. My own affection for the game suffered a beating.

There are several thoughts that criss-cross my mind now. I wonder whether the latest incident in Pune is an isolated incident, or whether this is a small part of national malaise. We need to know whether Salgaonkar was acting alone, or he had a few collaborators and whether he was merely indiscreet, or was he really dishonest.

A full-fledged investigation seems necessary. Alleged offender’s silence is equally intriguing. Is this an acceptance of guilt? He needs to be given an opportunity to explain himself else that would be considered as miscarriage of justice.

Indian bowling coach Bharat Arun, head coach Ravi Shashtri and MS Dhoni inspect the pitch ahead of the second ODI match against New Zealand in Pune on 25 October 2017. (Photo: IANS)

Curbing the Menace of Corruption

The Pune episode confirms, that just as in other spheres of our lives, corruption cannot be totally eliminated from the majestic game of cricket.  We need to reconcile ourselves to the tendency for deviance of the many characters associated with the game, on and off the cricket field. Our principal aim should be to build a system that would contain misbehaviour to the maximum extent possible.

What is the role of the vigilance machinery that has been established over the years?

The anti-corruption units of the ICC and BCCI have a modest manpower that can’t be expected to perform miracles.

Deterrent punishments for those who have been found delinquent need to be  imposed quickly. Moral conviction of guilt will be enough here. We should not attempt to marshal foolproof evidence, which has become difficult even in the regular criminal justice system.

Mentoring of cricketers at all levels and the officials entrusted with the game is an absolute must. This is being done even now. Whether any refinement of the existing processes is possible at all is a moot question. The two governing bodies –  ICC and BCCI – may have to put their heads together in this regard. Meanwhile the media should continue to play the crucial role of a watchdog that it’s been doing.

Also Read: Pune Pitch ‘Sting Operation’ All Noise, No Substance: Amrit Mathur

(The writer is a former CBI Director. He can be reached @rkraghu1 . This is an opinion piece and the views expressed above are the author’s own. The Quint neither endorses nor is responsible for the same.)