Mohammed Siraj reported corrupt approach prior to Australia tour

Before Australia began a full-fledged tour of India in February of this year, pacer Mohammed Siraj had reported a “corrupt approach” to the BCCI’s Anti Corruption Unit (ACU) from an unidentified individual who desired “inside news” about his team.

It is understood that the gambler messaged Mohammed Siraj out of pure frustration after losing a lot of money during the India matches

Before Australia arrived, India had played white-ball home series against Sri Lanka and New Zealand in January and February. India defeated Sri Lanka 3-0 in the ODI series after winning the T20 series 2-1.

India defeated New Zealand by a score of 3-0 in the ODI series before defeating the Black Caps by a score of 2-1 in the T20 series in Ranchi.

“It wasn’t a bookie who approached Siraj. He is a driver from Hyderabad who is addicted to betting on India matches. He had approached Siraj via WhatsApp after losing a lot of money on India games,”

a senior BCCI source privy told PTI.

“Siraj reported the approach immediately. The law enforcement (Andhra Police) authorities had nabbed the person,”

the source added.

Since the 2013 spot-fixing scandal, which involved Shantakumaran Sreesanth, Ankeet Chavan, Ajit Chandila, and then CSK team principal Gurunath Meiyappan, the BCCI had increased its ACU network.

Now, every IPL team has its own ACU official who stays in the same hotel and watches everything on the field.

Additionally, players are required to attend an ACU workshop on the dos and don’ts, and if any player fails to report a corrupt approach, sanctions are in place.

Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan was suspended in 2021 for not detailing a bad methodology during his IPL stretch in the past season.

RCB have two wins and three losses, putting them eighth with four points.