A Rajasthan Royals cricketer was approached a month ago for fixing 2015 Indian Premier League (IPL) matches, the team said on Friday.The Royals reaction comes in after the Indian Express reported on Friday that the Mumbai-based Royals player was approached by his Ranji Trophy teammate "with an offer of money if he followed a pre-decided pattern of play".
The player refused the offer and informed his team management, who in turn reported the matter to the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU)."Over a month ago, a player from Rajasthan Royals was approached inappropriately by a player (who was not part of the IPL) in connection with the IPL 2015 matches. Maintaining high standards of integrity, the player informed the team management of this inappropriate approach," said Royals chief executive officer (CEO) Raghu Iyer."In keeping with applicable IPL regulations, Rajasthan Royals management immediately reported the incident to the ACSU of the BCCI."
Iyer praised the unnamed player for reporting the incident: "Rajasthan Royals commends the player for having reported this incident immediately and for his honesty and uprightness. His dedication to maintain the highest standards of integrity needs to be lauded."The CEO added that the team will totally cooperate with the ACSU in further investigations."Rajasthan Royals in keeping with its zero tolerance approach immediately reported the incident further to the ACSU/BCCI for further process. Rajasthan Royals will continue to provide full support and assistance to the BCCI to ensure that the game of cricket is played in the right spirit," said Iyer."This incident does highlight that if players and other officials cooperate and disclose information or approaches immediately, the game can be kept clean and free from undesirable elements and activities."
BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur confirmed that the approach was made towards the Royals cricketer and added that they are investigating the matter."An inappropriate approach was made to a member of the Rajasthan Royals team that is currently participating in the Pepsi 2015. The player who was approached reported the matter to his team management immediately, who in turn have reported the incident to the ACSU of the BCCI," said Thakur.
"The ACSU of the BCCI is currently investigating the matter to ascertain the facts. We are happy to note that the prompt action of the player is an outcome of the ongoing initiative of the BCCI to educate cricketers at various levels to reject and report any such incident or approach made by individuals who intend to damage the fabric of the game."The incident is reminiscent of the IPL spot fixing and betting scandal which involved the Royals. In the 2013 edition of the Twenty20 tournament, Delhi Police arrested three cricketers -- S. Sreesanth, Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan -- on charges of spot fixing.Sreesanth and Chavan were banned for life by the BCCI following investigations while Chandila's case is still pending.
Later in a separate case, Mumbai police arrested former Chennai Super Kings team official Gurunath Meiyappan, who is the son-in-law of the then BCCI president and current ICC chairman N. Srinivasan, for betting. Meiyappan and Royals co-owner Raj Kundra were later found guilty of betting by the Supreme Court.