Former team manager alleges MS Dhoni fixed Manchester Test

Reports from The Times of India suggest that MS Dhoni fixed the fourth Test between India and England at Old Trafford in Manchester from the 2014 tour. Delhi and District Cricket Association sports secretary and former India team manager Sunil Dev has reportedly said that he was ‘100 percent sure’ that Dhoni fixed the fourth Test at Manchester. Dev has made these allegations in a video interview with the Sun Star.

The Manchester pitch was damp due to rain from the previous days, thus creating perfect bowling conditions. Dhoni, who won the toss, however, chose to bat first.

“Given the conditions of the pitch was wet due to a long spell of rain, we had decided to bowl first in a team meeting. But Dhoni surprised everyone by opting to bat first,” the report quoted Dev as saying in the sting video.

The Indians lost the Test by an innings and 54 runs with Dhoni making 71 and 27 in each inning respectively.

Another report from TOI states that Dev had submitted a report to the BCCI and had also typed out a detailed letter to president N Srinivasan. He also mentioned that he had been apprehensive of coming out with the news as he feared for his life and that no one would believe him.

However, the Mudgal committee, which also probed into the IPL spot-fixing scandal, downplayed the allegations made by Sunil Dev. “Match-fixing is not as common as it has been highlighted and unless there are two or three big players is involved, it can’t be done,” he was quoted as saying.

MS Dhoni retired from Test cricket following India’s horrific performances against the Australians Down Under in 2014.