"Fixing should be made a criminal offence" - Rahul Dravid

Rahul Dravid

Former Indian captain and one of the most respected cricketers in the world, Rahul Dravid has suggested that match-fixing, spot-fixing and other malpractices in the game should be made a criminal offence as it could prove to be an effective deterrent and re-instill the integrity of the sport.

He was the captain of the side when three of his Rajasthan Royals teammates were arrested for indulging in spot-fixing during the latest edition of the IPL in May this year.

Talking about the issue in an interview to ESPNcricinfo, Dravid said, “My personal belief is that education and counselling at a junior level is really important. I think we’ve got to start early, we’ve got to start young but … that part of it is already being done. I know that India has its own ACSU and even for Ranji Trophy teams this education is given.”

Dravid, who has volunteered to be a witness in the case against the cricketers, has stressed on the fact that mere awareness will not serve the purpose and stringent laws must be implemented for keeping a check on such offences.

“I don’t think only education can work, policing it and having the right laws and ensuring that people when they indulge in this kind of activities are actually punished. People must see that there are consequences to your actions. That will create fear for people,” he added.

Former India bowler S Sreesanth and two other Royals’ players, Ankeet Chavan and Ajit Chandila were arrested by the Delhi Police for dealing with bookies and conceding a fixed number of runs in a particular over of the match in the sixth edition of the cash-studded IPL.

“The case is still on and I don’t want to make any judgement on whether people are guilty or not and I think everyone has a right to be innocent until he’s proven guilty and I’m glad the police is going ahead and doing what needs to be done and taking it to its logical conclusion,” Dravid concluded.