Abhimanyu Mithun summoned over KPL fixing

The betting and spot-fixing scandal which has rocked the Karnataka Premier League could still take ugly turns as former India and current Karnataka pacer Abhimanyu Mithun is the latest player to have been summoned for questioning by the Central Crime Branch (CCB).

The Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Sandeep Patil confirmed the summoning of Mithun, the captain of Shivamogga Lions in KPL as he said -

“Yes, we have directed Mithun to appear before the CCB for questioning."

"We have prepared some questions for Mithun about his game during the last KPL season.”

Abhimanyu Mithun has represented two more teams apart from captaining the Shivamogga Lions, namely the Malnad Gladiators and the Bijapur Bills in previous seasons of KPL. Mithun has also represented India in four Tests and five ODIs, claiming 12 wickets in total.

According to sources, the CCB has informed the BCCI and kept them in the loop as well, since Mithun is the first national-level player to be quizzed on the KPL scandal. With Karnataka set to square off against Haryana in the first semifinal of the 2019 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, it remains to be seen if the pacer plays a further part in the tournament.

Also see – World Test Championship points table

Mithun joins CM Gautam, Abrar Kazi, Nishant Shekhawat and M Vishwanathan in the list of players caught for KPL fixing scandal

So far, five arrests have been made in a list comprising four players and one coach. Wicket-keeper batsman CM Gautam, who has represented RCB, Mumbai Indians and the Delhi Daredevils in the IPL is one among the four players.

Abrar Kazi, Nishant Singh Shekhawat, and M Viswanathan are the other players who were arrested, apart from Bengaluru Blasters bowling coach Vinu Prasad.

Notably, KSCA treasurer, Vinay Mruthyunjaya stated that all the affairs of the KPL will be on hold until the fixing scandal is settled, and with Mithun's name surfacing in the issue, this could only spell a bad time for the league.