Ghost of match-fixing? Mohammed Siraj says a man approached him for 'insider' information

Indian cricket is again haunted by the fear of match-fixing, as Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj alleged that a man who approached him for “inside" information after losing money while betting during the ODI series between India and Australia in March. 

After being approached for “insider" information, the Indian pacer immediately reported the incident to BCCI's Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU), reported ANI citing Anti-Corruption Unit officials on Wednesday.

Sports career of several Indian cricketers was nearly finished due to their link with corruption charges. The BCCI has intensified its anti-corruption campaign ever since S Sreesanth, Ankeet Chavan, and Ajit Chandia, all team members of the Rajasthan Royals were detained on suspicion of spot fixing. Moreover, former CSK official Gurunath Meiyappan was also arrested for links to betting in May 2013.

Since then, BCCI has further strengthened its anti-corruption campaign among players and officials involved in the game. It is also mandatory for players to attend an ACU session. Moreover, players also have to face consequences, in case they failed to report any case of insider information or other type of corruption. In 2019, Bangladesh's captain Shakib Al Hasan, was suspended as he failed to report a corrupt strategy used during a tri-series in early 2018 and during his IPL tenure later that year.

Siraj has performed quite well for his team Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), in the ongoing IPL session. During the session, he has taken eight wickets in five matches at an average of 17.50 and an economy rate of 7.00. His best bowling figures in the tournament so far is 3/22.

Having earned the crown of the best bowler in ICCC Men's ODI Player Rankings among bowlers, Siraj has also left his mark in international cricket this year. Till now, he has taken 19 wickets so far in eight ODIs for India in 2023, at an average of 13.21 and an economy rate of 4.61. In ODIs, his best bowling figures are 4/32. He is also the highest-wicket taker in ODIs for India and among ICC's full-member countries so far this year. This year, he has taken a wicket in three test matches that happened in 2023.

(With agency inputs)