Sting operation: Pune pitch curator reveals details to bookies ahead of the 2nd ODI

It can be termed as a major shocker and the India v New Zealand 2nd ODI in Pune is on a verge of a possible call off. India Today exposed Pune’s Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium’s  pitch curator Pandurang Salgaonkar, as the official has been caught leaking pitch related information to bookies. Salgaonkar can be seen revealing details of the pitch and backing the game to be a high scoring one. He added that anything around 337 would be easily chasable on this wicket.

According to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and International Cricket Council (ICC) rules, no one apart from the designated officials can come inside the stadium and inspect the pitch but as seen in the sting operation, the news reporter was allowed to take a close look at the pitch.

The reporter tries to dig deep and when asked whether unofficial persons can reach the playing surface, Salgaoncar can be heard saying that such a thing is not allowed by the BCCI or the ICC. It was later conveyed that a couple of players wanted a bit of bounce on the wicket, and the curator was quick to acknowledge their request.

Action will be taken: BCCI

In response to the operation conducted by the news channel, BCCI’s acting President CK Khanna told Cricketnext that action will be taken against the curator. “The matter has come to our notice and we are looking into the details. Too early to announce quantum of punishment, but BCCI has a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption and fixing and strong action will be taken if found guilty,” he said.

While another BCCI official, who didn’t want to come on record said that: This is completely uncalled for and every BCCI accredited member is well aware with the rules and regulations and about the security and entering the field of play, so such an incident should not have occurred under any circumstance. There is no way that such a lapse can be justified if it has happened. Strict action will be taken if found guilty,” the official said.