IPL 6: The domestic T20 league falls prey to spot-fixing again

One fine summer day, the good name of the Pepsi IPL tournament was sullied by an ugly spot fixing scandal. And if being left nonplussed by the news was a common reaction, then we’d like to plead guilty.

Around this same time, last year, we were summing up the findings of a sting operation conducted by a certain news channel, which had successfully unearthed a match fixing racket and implicated five domestic players. And now, approximately a year later, we find ourselves gearing up to the same task of taking stock of how a couple of players unabashedly duped their earnest fans, not to mention, their own teammates. A ‘few’ rotten eggs, indeed; or so the BCCI puts it.

For a tournament that is all but bursting at the seams with cash, it comes as little surprise that the domestic T20 league is big on scandals – scuffles with security guards, molestation charges, rave parties and occasionally, a couple of spot fixing allegations. Which comes as a crying shame, because the tournament also happens to include some hard-earned victories, some spellbinding catches and some awe inspiring sixes, all of which get slighted each time the ugly spot-fixing scandal rears its head.

The Rajasthan Royals might have been looking forward to having a breather after the high octane battle at Wankhede stadium, but all plans of catching a break and taking stock of their previous laurels were cut nastily short by the tidings the Delhi Police had in store. On the basis of certain tape recordings obtained by the Delhi police officials, charges have been levelled against three Rajasthan Royal players – Sreesanth, Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan. The trio are currently being held in five days custody, following which they could be banned from all forms of cricket if found guilty.

Through a series of innocuous gestures such as adjusting a locket or wearing a towel, the bowlers would signal the bookies that the following over would be played according to the conditions pre-set by the bookies. “It was decided that Sreesanth would put a towel in his trouser before bowling the second over of his spell and also give enough time to bookies to indulge in heavy betting. As decided, Sreesanth bowled the first over without wearing the towel. In the second over he put the towel in his trousers and in order to give enough time to his bookies he did some warming-up, some stretching exercises and then went on to give 13 runs,” Commissioner Neeraj Kumar informed the media.

So what does this spell for the average viewer? Do we hit the panic button every time a player adjusts his towel? Or do we dismiss every no-ball as part of a bigger conspiracy theory? Or do we just come to the terms with the fact that shady deals and match-fixing allegations have now become a permanent fixture in the gentleman’s game? With the integrity of the sport in peril, several influential personalities took to Twitter to make their dissent felt:

Raj Kundra: When asked the repeated question is IPL fixed my answer is always IPL teams CAN’T be fixed but individual players who lack integrity can

Sourav Ganguly (In an interview with CNN-IBN): I think nobody can prevent this corruption other than the player himself. In our era of [Sachin] Tendulkar, [Rahul] Dravid, [VVS] Laxman, [Anil] Kumble, Harbhajan [Singh], Zaheer [Khan], [Virender] Sehwag, no one could put a finger on them.

Shilpa Shetty: RR is a team that Fights with integrity,Rahul being a front runner..Sad this has happened so close to the Playoffs. This too shall pass.

Mandira Bedi: And the worst of it is that they play for a team whose Captain is one of the most honorable men in cricket. #spotfixing #shame

Pritish Nandy: Actually the IPL is like our movie awards, designed for TV and TRPs. Dont expect too much authenticity there. Its just another show.

Kiran Bedi: 3 Cricketers hav committed Huge Breach of Trust with millions of spectators+cheating their owners. Must get MAX punishment

Shekhar Kapur: Shocked at spot fixing in IPL? Why? Its huge stakes, financial manipulation n pure entertainment.”Its not cricket O’l Chap” Ofcourse its not

Javed Akhtar: Cricket is one of the few things left that arouse reverence and joy in hearts . Please let no one pollute this game.

Anupam Kher: IPL is a sponsored game show where players are bought for a certain price and made to play each other. In such a game #KuccBhiHoSaktaHai.:)

Ranvir Shorey: I wouldn’t fall for anything until the BCCI falls under the RTI. And the investigation, under (an independent) CBI. #IPL #cricket #India

Aakash Chopra: Punishment is always a strong deterrent…we just have to see what’s been done with the ones who were guilty of match-fixing in 2000!

Whether it is the RTI that comes to our rescue or increased stringency, the fact remains that we draw our entertainment from where it sparkles the most.