Shocked Rajasthan Royals team arrives in Hyderabad

Hyderabad, May 16 (IANS)

Shocked by the arrest of their three players for being allegedly involved in spot-fixing, Rajasthan Royals arrived here Thursday to play their last league match against Sunrisers Hyderabad Friday.

Looking distraught, the team members landed at the Rajiv Gandhi international airport here from Mumbai after their overnight match against Mumbai Indians.

Amid tight security, the team reached their hotel and silently walked in. “The team has reached the hotel,” a team spokesman told IANS. He confirmed that all the players, led by captain Rahul Dravid, had reached here.

It was not clear if the team would practise at the Rajiv Gandhi international cricket stadium in the evening as announced earlier. As per the schedule announced by the Indian Premier League (IPL) Wednesday night, the team would have a practice session from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The team is not scheduled to hold a pre-match press conference.

Delhi Police late Wednesday night arrested Sreesanth, Ankeet Chavan and Ajit Chandila in Mumbai for alleged spot-fixing in the IPL.

Besides the three players, Delhi Police also arrested seven bookies from Delhi, Mumbai and Ahmedabad in connection with spot-fixing.

With 20 points from 15 matches, Rajasthan Royals are placed third on the points-table and are ensured a place in the play-offs.