IPL 2023: Mohammed Siraj reports corrupt approach to BCCI ACU, unknown person wanted ‘inside news”

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) pacer Mohammed Siraj reported a ‘corrupt approach’ from an anonymous person who sought ‘inside news’ about his team after ‘losing a lot of money’ in an IPL 2023 game to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU). The India pacer, who has eight wickets for RCB, claimed he received a call and immediately reported the incident to ACU officials who are linked to the teams.

RCB had previously lost by eight runs to Chennai Super Kings at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, with fortunes shifting dramatically. Matheesha Parthirana, a Sri Lankan speed bowler, delivered two key death overs to reduce the home team to 218/8 in the chase of 226 and secure victory for CSK.

“It wasn’t a bookie who approached Siraj. It is a driver from Hyderabad who is addicted to betting on matches. He had lost huge money and approached Siraj for inside information,” a senior BCCI source privy to the developments told PTI on condition of anonymity.

“Siraj reported the approach immediately. The law enforcement authorities have nabbed the man. More details are awaited,” the source added.

Since the spot-fixing controversy involving S Sreesanth, Ankeet Chavan, Ajit Chandila, and then CSK team principal Gurunath Meiyappan was revealed in 2013, the BCCI has built up its ACU network. Each team now gets a dedicated ACU official who stays at the same hotel and monitors all moves on the ground.

There is also a necessary ACU training for players on the dos and don’ts, and there are punishments in place if any player fails to report a corrupt approach. Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan was suspended in 2021 for failing to report a corrupt approach during his previous IPL participation.

RCB are presently ninth in the table with four points after two victories and three losses. The Faf du Plessis-led side was defeated by MS Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings by eight runs in their most recent encounter, with previous skipper Virat Kohli struggling with the bat and getting only six runs. They are scheduled to play Shikhar Dhawan’s Punjab Kings in Mohali on Thursday.

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