The Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) brings together the best players from Australia and India for a highly anticipated Test series. Several players have made their mark on the rivalry's history with match-winning performances over the years.

Regarding bowling, various notable bowlers from India and Australia have turned the contest around throughout the years in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Here's a list of the top five memorable bowling displays by the Indian roster in the down under, through the timelines of this highly acclaimed bilateral red-ball series.

Kapil Dev: 8/106 in Adelaide 1985-86

Kapil Dev's 8/106 in the 1985 Adelaide Test is still the finest Test bowling performance by an Indian bowler in Australia. Kapil bowled with remarkable control against a rigid Australian batting order, limiting them to just 381 runs in the first innings. He was known for his accurate seam movement and swing bowling, which made Australian hitters nervous.

The furious fast bowler removed practically every Australian batter and stood out for a solitary performance that placed India in a position to win the Test. Despite India taking the lead with a commanding 520/10 as a response, the match finished in a tie, with Kapil named the man of the match.

Anil Kumble: 8/141 in Sydney 2003-04

Anil Kumble was famed for his never-say-die mentality, and his 8/141 spell in Sydney in 2004 demonstrates his perseverance. Bowling on a flat Sydney field, Australia had already scored a staggering 474 in response to India's 705. Kumble's spell came on a track that gave nothing to the bowlers, but he still made an impression.

He broke vital partnerships and continued to chip away at Australia's batting order. While the game ended in a tie, Kumble's eight wickets were the most important in preventing Australia from running away with it. His performance demonstrated his ability to bear the brunt of India's bowling assault, particularly in difficult international circumstances.

Ajit Agarkar: 6/41 in Adelaide 2003-04

Ajit Agarkar recorded a career-best performance of 6 for 41 in the 2003 Adelaide Test, which proved crucial in India's memorable four-wicket victory. His wickets included Ricky Ponting, whose departure for a duck was critical in shattering the opposition's resistance.

Agarkar's famous session is sometimes overlooked by Rahul Dravid's superb 233 in the same game, but it was his bowling that secured India's rare overseas victory.

Also Read: Top 5 Indian Batting Innings from the BGT played in Australia

Mohammed Siraj: 5/73 in Brisbane 2020-21

Mohammed Siraj's 5/73 in Australia's second innings was his first five-wicket haul in Test cricket, coming in only his third outing. Siraj, despite having little experience, led an injury-depleted Indian bowling attack that lacked seasoned bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, and Ravichandran Ashwin and up to the task by bowling with control and aggressiveness.

Siraj's success came despite personal sadness, as he had lost his father during the tour but elected to remain in Australia to serve on national service. Siraj's accomplishment reflected India's perseverance and depth. Siraj's victory exemplified India's squad's tenacity and depth throughout the victorious 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy campaign. 

Jasprit Bumrah: 6/33 in Melbourne 2018-19

In 2018, Jasprit Bumrah led India to their first-ever victory in a Boxing Day Test Down Under. The right-arm seamer took 6/33 as Australia were bowled out for 151 in response to India's 443/7 declaration. This spell contained everything. There were seamed-up deliveries, bouncers, yorkers, and Shaun Marsh's famed slow yorker.

This display of "complete fast bowling" by the world-class seamer who deserved to seal the first rank of the bowlers' roster at that time. These are still the best Test figures by an Indian at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Bumrah also took three wickets in the 2nd innings, with Australia failing to chase 399.

While the Indian national cricket team is ready to begin their journey in the upcoming five-match away Test series against Australia, former Indian captain Virat Kohli revealed his best Test knock in Australia.

Before the beginning of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024/25, the Indian cricketers had fun as one player was asking one question to another teammate. During this interaction, the Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj asked Virat Kohli about his best knock in Australia, including mentioning the season.

Virat Kohli's answer

In reply, Kohli had no hesitation in choosing his best Test innings knock in Australia. The right-handed batter chose his performance in the Perth Test during the 2018/19 season. He feels that it was the toughest pitch he has played in his Test career. 

As a captain, Kohli scored 123 runs off 257 balls with the help of 13 fours and one six. In the reply to Australia’s first innings total of 326 runs at the Perth Stadium, Kohli played an important role in India’s first innings. His batting helped India to score 283 runs, where Ajinkya Rahane was the second-highest scorer in that innings with 51 runs.  

However, India lost that Perth Test by 146 runs, where Kohli was dismissed for 17 runs in the fourth innings. Meanwhile, India successfully recorded their historic Test series win on that tour (2-1). It was India’s first Test series win in Australia.  

Some other questions and answers

Without knowing the answerer, Kohli then asked what was the one thing he was looking for the most on this tour. Washington Sundar replied that he would lift the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. 

While Sundar asked the question about the most famous person on the contact list, KL Rahul unsurprisingly replied with Virat Kohli. 

Later, Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin asked how many hundreds you wanted to score in Australia. In reply, Shubman Gill said as many hundred as possible. 

 

 

 

 

 

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The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) is one of the most popular IPL franchises. The franchise has been a part of the IPL since its inception, having competed in all 17 seasons of the lucrative competition. However, it is currently awaiting its first title. Before the IPL 2025 major auctions, which are expected to occur later this month, RCB retained three players: Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, and Yash Dayal.

RCB will have three Right To Match (RTM) cards available in the mega auctions, and the franchise owners are hoping to bring back as many players as possible. The squad has had a great 2024 season and wants to convert their maiden IPL title with a significant team restructuring from the Mega Auction, as they have the potential to acquire top players from the under-the-hammer roster. Here are the five top-player recommendations for the side to target in the forthcoming 2025 IPL Mega Auction. 

KL Rahul

KL Rahul will be one of the targets of the loyal fanbase-backed squad in the IPL 2025 Mega Auction for apparent reasons. Rahul had a fantastic IPL 2016 with RCB. However, he missed the 2017 season due to injuries and was released before the 2018 Mega Auction. He later played for the Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) and Lucknow Super Giants, but he could return to his home franchise, which has only kept three players, including a colossal purchasing purse.

Rahul has always been liked by the RCB faithful, partly because he is from Bengaluru, and the team is in dire need of a reliable wicketkeeper batter. Fans should anticipate that RCB will bid quite expensively for Rahul in the blockbuster auction. In the 2024 edition, he has made a commendable 520 runs in 14 matches with four half-centuries.

Mitchell Starc

RCB has historically struggled with a reliable bowling attack, which has been overlooked by their dynamic batting lineup, and Mitchell Starc can help address that gap. Starc's ability to perform in high-pressure circumstances and his previous stint with RCB in 2015 suggest he might be the missing piece in RCB's quest for their first IPL victory. His expertise and talent in T20 cricket make him an excellent choice to command their bowling unit.

In IPL 2024, as the most expensive player in the tournament ever, Starc demonstrated his brilliance by collecting crucial wickets and maintaining an exceptional economy rate during playoffs, further cementing his worth to a club needing bowling consistency. In his triumphant 2024 campaign with the Kolkata Knight Riders, he has taken 17 wickets in 14 matches. 

Will Jacks

Will Jacks, another major player for RCB in the 2024 season, had a massive influence after replacing Maxwell in the playing XI. Jack's ability to dominate pacers and spinners and his helpful spin bowling may urge RCB to utilise their RTM to keep him. With his swashbuckling style, he can restore the team's batting glory days, as they have the opportunity to win their first title through a restructure in the upcoming Mega Auction.

In eight matches, the 25-year-old English all-rounder scored 230 runs at a fantastic 175.57 strike rate, including a spectacular 41-ball century against the Gujarat Titans.

Also Read: IPL 2025: 5 players Mumbai Indians should target for in the upcoming IPL Mega Auction

Mohammed Siraj

Mohammed Siraj, who has been at RCB since 2018, was also included on the list of players revealed ahead of the mega auction. Siraj grabbed 15 wickets in 14 IPL 2024 matches while maintaining a solid economy rate of 9.19 economy. But as they say, every player has a rough patch in their sporting stint; Siraj will be desperate to come back with a bang through the fierce and intense 2025 IPL.

He is well-known for his ability to take wickets with the new ball, but his recent improvements at death bowling make him an invaluable asset. RCB may use their RTM option to bring him back, as they need a reliable Indian pacer who can spearhead the team's bowling attack and align with its goals by being aware of the Indian conditions. 

Rachin Ravindran

Rachin Ravindra, the all-rounder from New Zealand, is one of cricket's hottest prospects, making him a priority target for several prominent teams in the forthcoming IPL 2025 big auction. He had a terrific time with CSK throughout the 2024 IPL season, but now that they have opted not to put him on the retention list, RCB might consider him a top-order alternative to Virat Kohli.

Ravindra has the talent and skill to adjust to varied circumstances with the bat and ball, which should serve him well regardless of where he ends up in the next edition. Though he had a mediocre debut IPL sit-in with the Chennai Super Kings by scoring just 222 runs in ten games, his awareness of the Indian conditions would act as the major USP for the team to acquire his services. 

The 2025 IPL edition has given glimpses of intense and wholesome cricketing action through the medium of team retentions. All ten robust sides have released the names of their promising players who will take the lead in the upcoming 2025 edition.

With some amusing releases and a colossal purse of over Rs. 120 Crores across the retention and auction process, this edition of the team's creation would go wild and intriguing. Based on some shocking releases by the franchises, here are the top five probable Indian players whose teams would be eager to break the bank to acquire their talent in the 2025 IPL Mega Auction. 

Shreyas Iyer

Shreyas Iyer has helped the defending champions, Kolkata Knight Riders, successfully earn their third IPL title after a colossal ten years. But, his release from the Knight Riders has been a surprise for many cricket fanatics, keeping in mind his cornerstone role in the team's memorable 2024 run. Many speculate about his increased retention asking, which led to his unexpected release.

But, amongst the teams, a few have taken significant steps in the retention process to buy him for an enormous amount and have the impeccable batter and captain to their respective franchises, making him one of the most expensive Indian players in the mega-auctions.

KL Rahul

KL Rahul and Lucknow Supergiants' love-and-hate relationship started ever since the controversial on-camera animated conversation between him and their owner, Sanjiv Goenka. The sight was captured on tape, and netizens predicted Rahul's departure from the franchise, where he led the team to two consecutive playoffs.

Rahul has been entering the auctions since 2018, which makes him a hot pick for being one of the most expensive Indian players in the upcoming mega auctions. 

Rishabh Pant

Rishabh Pant's absence from the retention list was the most shocking, given that he was the captain of Delhi Capitals and had a long association with the team for eight years. He also returned to professional cricket following a horrible vehicle accident with the Delhi Capitals (DC).

Pant was rumoured to join the new team ahead of IPL 2025, and the same looks possible with him featuring in the auction. With a handful of teams eager to look for a viable wicketkeeper batter option, Pant can also play the role of a captain, leading him to earn some big bucks in the upcoming mega auctions. 

Also Read: IPL 2025: Top-5 probable most expensive Foreign players in the upcoming IPL Mega Auction

Arshdeep Singh

Arshdeep Singh, a fiery pacer, was a significant Punjab Kings' IPL 2024 squad member. He debuted for the team in 2019 and has since represented India. He was a squad member until 2024, and his participation in the team in the upcoming season is uncertain because the team released him.

Not to mention his crucial part in India's victorious T20 World Cup as the joint top wicket-taker. Though many were surprised to hear the news of his release, Punjab Kings received a massive payout of Rs 110.5 crore and four Right-to-Match (RTM) cards, giving him a strong contender for the team to avail himself of his lethal speed skill.

Mohammed Siraj

Pacer Mohammed Siraj's release surprised many because he has often voiced his wish to remain with Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The franchise kept only three players: Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, and Yash Dayal. As it implies, the prominent loyal fan-base side will have the option to retain him, thanks to their available three RTM cards.

Siraj has risen in prominence in the Indian team's red and white ball formats performance. It is no surprise that Siraj was the cause of breaking the bank for several franchises and could return to his old franchise; only time will tell. 

The ‘Impact Player’ rule in the IPL has sparked controversy after receiving criticism from several players and experts, including Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma. This rule, introduced in the IPL in 2023 but not yet part of international matches, has drawn scrutiny for its perceived negative impact on all-rounders.

Fast bowler Mohammed Siraj, ahead of the IPL 2024 match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Kolkata Knight Riders, echoed Rohit Sharma’s sentiments by expressing concerns about the rule. Siraj highlighted the already flat surfaces in IPL matches, lamenting the lack of support for bowlers in the competition.

“Please remove this impact sub thing…” 

Mohammed Siraj said, “It’s important to be comfortable, if you think too much, it’ll lead to negativity and frustrations, so I always try to be as positive as possible, try to close all negative connotations around me. Please remove this impact sub thing (laughs), the wickets are already flat and there’s nothing for the bowlers in it, previously, it used to be slow at times, but the batters now come out swinging at absolutely everything.”

“My game plan is to be consistent, if a good ball gets hit, so be it. It was a long time that teams made 250+, but it has become such a common feature now (thanks to impact sub and the flat pitches). It’s been a long time since I’ve played a day game, I last played a day game during the Test series against England, but we’re professionals and we have no excuses,” Siraj added.

Earlier Rohit opens up for the rule 

“I am not a big fan of Impact sub rule. It is going to hold all rounders back, eventually cricket is played by 11 players not 12 players. You are taking out so much from game to make it entertaining for people around. If you look just from the cricketing aspect of it I feel guys like Shivam Dube and Washington Sundar aren’t getting to bowl, which for us is not a good thing,” Rohit had said on ‘Club Prairie Fire’ podcast.

See Also: IPL 2024: Fans appreciate Gill’s captaincy against PBKS

“I don’t know what you can do about it. There are 12 players for you, it is entertaining, you can bring on the impact player after watching how the game is going, how the pitch is behaving. If you bat well and you don’t lose wickets, you can add another bowler, it gives you an option of six or seven bowlers. You don’t require that extra batter because a lot of teams are batting well up front and you hardly see a No 7 or No 8 coming to bat,” he had explained.

On his 30th birthday, Mohammed Siraj shared a heartfelt revelation, confessing that he almost quit cricket a few years back. Reflecting on his journey, Siraj disclosed that back in 2019-20, he had given himself a year to make it in the sport, or else he was prepared to step away.

In a touching video released by the BCCI, Siraj took fans on a tour of his hometown, Hyderabad, reminiscing about the ground where his cricket dreams began and his cherished hangout spots. He mentioned finding solace at Eidgah ground despite his current global travels.

Contemplating quitting cricket to international success

Hailing from a modest background, Siraj disclosed his past struggles, including working in catering to support his father, who drove an autorickshaw, the family’s primary source of income. He vividly recalled burning his hands while flipping roomali roti.

“I used to go to do a catering job. My family members used to say that son, please study. I liked playing cricket very much because we used to live on rent also. My dad was the only earning member in the house. If I got a hundred or two hundred rupees, I was happy with it. I used to give 100 or 150 rupees at home and keep 50 for myself.”

He also added, “Whenever you work hard, your hard work will not go to waste. You will get it in the end, if not today or tomorrow, then day after tomorrow or in a year or in two years or in three years, you will get the result.” 

See Also: Rishabh Pant reveals discussions with doctors on amputation

RCB take a huge step in auction

Having recently played for India in the T20I series against South Africa, Siraj gears up for the upcoming Test series, starting with the first game in Centurion on Boxing Day, December 26. This series also marks the return of senior players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah.

In other news, Siraj was retained by RCB ahead of the player auction held in Dubai. RCB strengthened their squad by acquiring players like Alzarri Joseph, Tom Curran, Lockie Ferguson, and three promising Indian talents. However, they missed out on securing Australia captain Pat Cummins, who was bought by SRH for Rs 20.5 crore.

India speedster Mohammed Siraj made headlines as he had a spell to remember. After an embarrassing defeat in Centurion, India required a good show in Cape Town and Siraj dismantled the South African batting lineup with the figures of 6-15.  At the post-match press conference, Siraj opined on the importance of sticking to a plan and keeping things simple.

“On such pitches when there is so much swing and the pitch is misbehaving, bowlers tend to be greedy and try too many things,” said Siraj. “I think it’s important to stick to a plan and hit a certain area. If you try too much, you will put yourself and the team under pressure. On this pitch. it’s crucial to have bowling partnerships as sometimes, runs can be leaked while trying to get wickets. My mindset was to give a strong performance for the team and correct the shortcomings from the last Test. I realised what mistakes I had made and got it right today, and got the success. My strength is to land the ball in the right areas for a long period of time but I wasn’t able to do that in the last game. Today, I focused on my strengths and got the rewards. So I’m really happy.”

However, Mohammed Siraj’s spell was totally different from his off-colour outing at Centurion where he struggled for consistency and rhythm. The speedster was honest in his self-assessment and shared how he turned things around between the two Tests. He also praised the entire bowling unit on a day when they picked up 13 wickets in just 40.2 overs as well. Like Siraj, the pace attack from South Africa also did well.

SEE ALSO: “Jawaab milega uska”- Rohit Sharma’s funny reply to his T20I future makes headline

“The discussion was to correct our mistakes as a bowling unit from last game. We focused on having more bowling partnerships and also planned on bowling more maidens. We didn’t bowl many maidens in the last Test and today we were able to build pressure as we bowled more maidens. We built pressure and hence got success,” Mohammed Siraj again shared. “After playing so many years of domestic cricket, you get an idea of what areas to hit consistently on such pitches. When you go overseas and with so much swing available, it’s about consistently hitting a probing spot more often than not.”

“It’s important for fast bowlers to have aggression” – Mohammed Siraj

However, his famous Cristiano Ronaldo celebration made headlines. When talked about his antics, Siraj shared how critical aggression is to a fast bowler, especially in Test cricket. 

“Emotions are a different thing. It’s important for fast bowlers to have aggression. Without aggression, it’s difficult for fast bowlers to get wickets in Test cricket. When you get hit for a boundary, you should be like ‘How did he hit me for a four, I’ll put him in his place!’, that should be the mindset.”

With 23 wickets falling in a single day from both sides, there were questions on the nature of the surface and its quality. However, Siraj chose not to play a stroke on this query.

“I can only say that I’d want to just focus on my game and my team. These things are for the match referee to decide. For me, it’s about bowling in the right areas and exploiting the surface. I don’t think anyone could have expected that and we obviously didn’t. But such things happen in cricket. With the good, the bad also come. They were bowled out for 55, we had a good start and a good partnership, so a collapse was bound to come,” Mohammed Siraj concluded.

Cricket fans worldwide look forward to the Asia Cup 2023, a fascinating show of skill, ability, and intense rivalry. As the teams prepare for this highly anticipated competition, all eyes are on a small group of exceptional players who have the potential to be game-changers in the Indian arsenal. This article dives into the top three Indian candidates whose extraordinary talents, continuous successes, and unwavering determination may draw attention.

Virat Kohli

It is evident that the run-machine would indeed seal one spot in the list, thanks to his impeccable calibre and improvement. Kohli exhibits all the characteristics necessary to win this renowned honour, including unsurpassed consistency, high skill, and unwavering determination. Kohli’s batting skill is just exceptional. His ability to adapt to different game situations and thrive under hardship sets him apart from his competitors. With his perfect technique, remarkable hand-eye coordination, and wide variety of strokes, Kohli is a master at building and anchoring innings. Virat played his maiden Asia Cup (ODI) in 2010, and he has since scored 613 runs in 10 innings at an average of 61.3 with a top score of 183. However, Virat was the second-best run scorer in the Asia Cup 2022 (T20I). In five games, he scored 272 runs.

Mohammed Siraj

Mohammad Siraj, India’s rising fast-bowling star, has done an incredible job with his bowling abilities. The right-arm faster, born in 1994, made his ODI debut against Australia in January 2019. Mohammad Siraj has 43 wickets in 24 ODIs with an incredible economy rate of 4.78.

On January 21, 2023, Siraj was rated top in the ICC ODI Bowlers Rankings. However, Siraj is ranked second in the current ICC ODI Bowling Ranking. Siraj, known for his fiery temperament on the pitch, scary demeanour, and superb bowling abilities, might be a game-changer for India in the Asia Cup.

Shreyas Iyer

Though his long-run injury stint has hindered his hold with the bat, the reliable batter can become the decisive game-changer in the Indian arsenal. With a commendable average of 46.60 and making 1631 runs in 42 matches, it is evident that he can be a robust boost to the middle order, especially after his long break from an injury. He’s an excellent hitter who can handle any circumstance. Iyer has been in perfect form, and his ability to shorten innings makes him an invaluable asset. We can’t wait to watch him break some formal batting rules!

27th Match, IPL: Royal Challengers Bangalore 174 for 4 (Du Plessis 84, Kohli 59, Brar 2-31) beat Punjab Kings 150 (Prabhsimran 46, Jitesh 41, Mohammed Siraj 4-21) by 24 runs

Faf du Plessis revealed that he could never have played this game had the Impact Player rule not been set up. Too many issues were being caused by his bruised rib. However, the new regulations gave him the opportunity to influence the game solely through his batting, and he did so. Giving over the captaincy to Virat Kohli so he could play as a substitute, he hit 84 off 56 balls on a lazy Mohali pitch to pull Illustrious Challengers Bangalore to 174 for 4, regardless of a late log jam. After that, all he did was rest in the dugout while observing Mohammed Siraj excel in the powerplay and death to assist them in defending that total.

After being on 137 for 0 in 16 overs, Royal Challengers were only 37 for 4 in their final four overs. However, after a narrow home loss to Chennai Super Kings, they dominated the powerplay with bat and ball to defeat Punjab Kings and give their campaign a boost.

The opening salvo

After a calm beginning – du Plessis was on 3 off 7 balls at a certain point – he made swinging room against left-arm finger spinner Harpreet Brar and sent him over his head for six. He gave him more room with two more balls and hit him over midwicket for six more. Royal Challengers outscored Royal Challengers 59 to 0 in the powerplay after Kohli’s strong start, driving Brar and then pulling the seamers for fours. Even after the powerplay, Du Plessis batted with the same high intent, reaching his half-century off 31 balls.

The slowdown

However, Kohli slowed down after the powerplay, particularly against leg spinner Rahul Chahar and Sam Curran’s slower variations. Subsequent to being on 29 off 19 balls toward the finish of the powerplay, he oversaw just 30 off his next 28 balls.

When he spliced a sweep off Brar, his innings came to an end, and Kings made their breakthrough when wicketkeeper Jitesh Sharma made a stunning one-handed catch. After that, Brar got Glenn Maxwell to hole out for a duck on the next ball, and Nathan Ellis, who was picked ahead of Kagiso Rabada, got du Plessis fooled with a slower variation to stop Royal Challengers at the last moment.

They were 91 for 0 of every ten overs and later 137 for 0 out of 16 overs however wound up with seemingly a shoddy finish at that stage. Kings would ultimately discover that 24 was too many.

Mohammed Siraj bosses the powerplay and death

Illustrious Challengers immediately recaptured lost ground when Siraj struck two times in the powerplay to trap both Atharva Taide (4) and the returning Liam Livingstone (2). Siraj increased his powerplay total this season to six with those two wickets. No other bowler has more wickets during this stage in IPL 2023.

Siraj returned in the final moments to conclude Kings’ pursuit after discovering late inswing in the initial exchanges. Kings had 30 off 18 balls when Jitesh struck late, giving them a glimmer of hope. In the 18th over, however, Siraj struck out Brar and Ellis for just four runs. Siraj was likewise at it in the field, affecting an immediate hit from mid-off to get Harpreet Bhatia short at the non-striker’s end.

Jitesh, Prabhsimran flicker for Kings

From being 43 for 4 on the powerplay, Kings’ Impact Player Prabhsimran Singh and Finisher Jitesh contributed to their team’s closeness to the goal. Indeed, even as five wickets fell around him, Prabhsimran pursued the RCB assault. He took Wanindu Hasaranga for 18 off of eight balls, which was particularly severe. The chase, on the other hand, slipped further out of Kings’ reach when he missed the half-century mark by just four.

Jitesh momentarily kept Lords in the pursuit with his own counterattack, however Siraj and Harshal Patel at last excused them for 150 and hauled RCB up to fifth on the standings.

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.