A documentary made by Qatar based media company Al Jazeera’s investigation unit claims that in the last two years, Team India was featured in three Test matches. The documentary was shared with the Hindustan Times that argues how a Mumbai-based former Indian first-class cricketer, an Indian advertisement executive based in the UAE and members of the D-Company use their ‘connections’ in the cricket fraternity and even in the International Cricket Council (ICC) to decide on the outcome of matches.
The surprising sting operation done by journalist David Harrison found out that the process of how match-fixers bribe curators, current, and former cricketers to fix the outcome of sessions or an entire game. The suspected people include Pakistan’s Hasan Raza (youngest to play a Test match) and three Sri Lankan internationals – Dilhara Lokuhettige, Jeevantha Kulatunga, and Tharindu Mendis – who are seen heavily involved in either spot-fixing or altering the pitch conditions to force a result within a specific number of days.
Also in the spotlight is Tharanga Indika, the curator of Galle Stadium who has admitted he that he had altered the pitches. It was under his supervision that Australia lost a Test is less than 8 sessions in August 2016 and India amassed 600 in their first innings in July 2017. The documentary suggests that both the games were as ‘scripted by match-fixers’.
India versus England Test played in Chennai (December 16-20), the India versus Australia Test in Ranchi (March 16-20, 2017) and the Galle Test between India and Sri Lanka (July 26-29, 2017) are expected to be doctored by the bookmakers, says the documentary titled ‘Cricket’s Match-Fixers’ that can be seen online on Sunday at 3.30 PM IST. Particular sessions in all the three games were ‘scripted’ with the players who were in contact with match-fixers. No India cricketers are mentioned in the suspected spot-fixing scandals.
Investigations suggest that at least two Australian cricketers were involved in Ranchi and three Englishmen fixed sessions in Chennai. While the England players have denied these charges, the Australians have not reacted at all.
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ICC has now reacted to the Al Jazeera findings and started an investigation into the all. ICC’s statement read, “We have already launched an investigation working with anti-corruption colleagues from Member countries based on the limited information we have received. We have made repeated requests that all evidence and supporting materials relating to corruption in cricket is released immediately to enable us to undertake a full and comprehensive investigation.”
The documentary has revealed that how match-fixers do have crafty ways to fix sessions and pitches. It also shows the ease and confidence with which all the sequence of operation works.
Harrison approached Aneel Munawar, a member of D-company as a businessman and during the conversation, the latter said, “Each script I will give you, will happen, happen and happen.”
Robin Morris, a former Indian first-class cricketer, seems to be the spearhead of the multi-million dollar fixing operation. Talking about the scandal he said, “I have a set of 30 players who will play what I tell them to do,” says Morris. His business partner, Gaurav Rajkumar, adds: “We don’t care about the entertainment as long as we are making our money.” The extent of control of match fixers can be gauged from the fact that “60-70 per cent matches can be set.”
When asked for a reaction on the Al Jazeera sting and his alleged involvement in match-fixing, Morris said, “I have been fabricated in this; there is no truth in this and I have nothing to do with the Galle Test.”
On the same aspect, Munawar said, “If you have it, you will do anything.” The audacious Rajkumar also reveals his grand plan to start a 10-day international T20 tournament under the aegis of the Dubai Cricket Council. He said, “We want total control…players will be like puppets.” A player stands to make half-a-million dollars in 10 days, says Rajkumar, adding an international cricketer who wants to be part of the fixing game can earn “40 times more money than his appearance fee.”
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Munawar also revealed that the D-Company pays anything between INR 2-6 crore to fix a game, depending on the profile of the team. Groundsmen in Sri Lanka, particularly Galle, are seen as gullible. “When they get Rs. 25 lakh to doctor the pitches, they will fix …it’s eight years’ salary!”
In the centre of the pitch fixing menace is Tharanga Indika confessed, “All these things must be done before the ICC officials come in. Like extra pressure on the special brush can damage the pitch.”
Interestingly, the ICC didn’t punish Galle management for the Australia Test. In January 2016, the ICC suspended Galle stadium curator Jayananda Warnaweera for three years after the former Test player failed to cooperate with anti-corruption officials.
Now the ICC will have its hand full, thanks to the Al Jazeera investigation.
