Goa rope in Smit Patel for Ranji Trophy 2019-20 after CM Gautam’s arrest in KPL fixing scandal

The Ranji Trophy 2019-20 is just four days away from its kick-off and Goa have roped in Smit Patel as a replacement for CM Gautam, who has been stripped from the contract after getting arrested by CCB in the Karnataka Premier League spot-fixing scandal.

CM Gautam had played for Karnataka in Ranji Trophy for 11 seasons before he moved to Goa. He was all set to lead his domestic side in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2019 before he was alleged in KPL scam by CCB. Smit Patel had earlier played for Tripura for a couple of seasons and then moved to Goa giving another break to his professional cricketing career.

Goa announces CM Gautam’s replacement for Ranji Trophy 2019-20

Patel was also a part of the Unmukt Chand-led Indian Under-19 team that lifted the World title in 2012. The Ahmedabad born cricketer moved out of his home state Gujarat after he anticipated the lack of wicket-keeping opportunities with Parthiv Patel keeping the wickets for his state team.

So far, he has played 45 first-class matches and has scored 2479 runs at an average of 49.66 and dismissed 101 batsmen while keeping for the teams. Goa will begin their Ranji Trophy 2019-20 campaign against Sikkim on 9th of December

As per the reports of Sportstar, CM Gautam and Abrar Kazi, who played for Bellary Tuskers had taken 20 lakh from the bookies for batting at a slow strike rate in the final of  Karnataka Premier League 2019. Moreover, the Tuskers lost the finals to Hubli Tigers.

In a recent development, CCB conducted a search at the residence of Sudhindra Shinde, who is a member of the Karnataka Cricket Association. They took two laptops along with some documents and a pen drive in their custody. They also took him for questioning related to fixing scandal.

So far nine people have been arrested by CCB, who are suspected to have involvement in the KPL match-fixing and betting scam that includes the Asif Ali Thara, the owner of Belgavi Panthers followed by Belagavi Bhavesh Bafna, Bengaluru Blasters players Nishant Singh Shekhawat and M Vishwanath along with their bowling coach Vinu Prasad, Bellary Tuskers captain CM Gautam, spinner Abrar Kazi, and international bookie Sayyam Gulati have been arrested. However, the crime branch has hinted that a few more arrests might be on the cards.

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