Since its inception, cricket has always been known as the Gentlemen’s game, still, most of the cricket fans are aware of the term match-fixing, spot-fixing, but according to the reports of India Today, they have found ‘pitch fixing’ in cricket as well.

Pandurang Salgaoncar, the pitch curator of Pune, revealed the confidential information in front of the camera during a chat with the ‘India Today’ reporter. The 2nd ODI between India and New Zealand will be played in Pune on Wednesday.

The reporter asked Salgaoncar to make some changes in the pitch for two of his fast bowlers, on which Pandurang agreed. The pitch curator said that the pitch we have prepared will help the team batting first to reach the total of around 337 runs, which can be chased down easily on the prepared track.

Pandurang even agreed to show his pitch to the reporter despite the fact that rules don’t allow anyone except the captain and coach to have a look at the pitch. Salgaocar said at the same time that he can change the nature of the pitch within a few minutes. He also allowed wearing spikes on the pitch.

Salgaoncar even agreed to change the pitch for money. He was a cricketer himself as he has been a fast bowler during his time. Earlier this year after the first Test of the 4-match series between India and Australia, Pandurang Selgaonkar was criticised as ICC even called that pitch as poor due to the fact that it was turning square from the very first ball of the match.

When the reporter said during his conversation that we would use it with a bookie and talked about the money for the deal, Pandurang said that he has seen the first match, the deal has been done. You can share the money later.

Salgaoncar explained that if the soil will drop a bit, the bottle will drop water. If the shoe is dropped on the pitch then the pitch will be bad, which will change its nature in a matter of minutes.

India Today’s reports also suggested that BCCI’s acting secretary Amitabh Chaudhary has said that the culprits will not be spared. He said that BCCI will take strict action against the divulgence. Amitabh said that he does not know the whole thing right now, but it will be dealt with strictly.

Talking about the issue with India Today, Amitabh said, “The BCCI has zero tolerance on such issues. I am not yet aware of the full thing. I will attend to it immediately and take the strictest action. The guilty will not be spared.”

MCA president Abhay Apte also spoke to India Today right after the sting operation and promised strict action. he said, “We will look into the matter. Rest assured, if anyone found guilty, strict action will be taken.”

Here is the video of the sting operation:

https://www.facebook.com/IndiaToday/videos/10156435861907119/