Supreme Court appointed, Committee of Administrators (CoA) chief Vinod Rai extended his support for the BCCI’s anti-corruption unit. He said that 3-member team can’t be everywhere after the board suspended MCA curator Pandurang Salgaoncar for allegedly claiming that he could tamper with the pitch ahead of the India-New Zealand 2nd ODI.

In the sting operation by India Today, Salgaoncar was seen and heard speaking to an undercover reporter, who poses as a bookie, while standing on the pitch of the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) Stadium on the eve of the second One-day International.

As quoted in Indian Express, Rai said, “There were irregularity on all fronts so a full-scale inquiry has been ordered. ACU (headed by former cop Neeraj Kumar) has only three people so they can’t be everywhere.”

The BCCI has suspended Salgaonkar with immediate effect and appointed curator Ramesh Mhamunkar as the point person for the center wicket and the field of play for the second ODI between India and New Zealand.

In the BCCI statement, Rai added: “We are looking into the issue and in contact with the concerned officials. We have asked for a detailed report and will act upon it accordingly.”

Acting secretary Amitabh Choudhary said strict action will be taken considering the media reports claiming that Salgaoncar was seen agreeing to tamper with the pitch to suit the requirements put forth by the reporter in an undercover sting. he said, “We have acted swiftly and ensured that there are no loopholes left ahead of the 2nd ODI between India and New Zealand.”