5 Indian cricketers caught in match-fixing and corruption scandals

5 Indian cricketers caught in match-fixing and corruption scandals

As cricket’s popularity and finances are increasing, so have its unethical practices. India, a country where the sport is seen as a religion, has witnessed such practices violate the spirit of the game. Over the years, several Indian players have been defamed due to involvement or allegations of corruption. These cases not only brought their careers and reputations down but also hurt the image of Indian cricket. Despite the ICC and BCCI’s stringent anti-corruption measures, incidents keep surfacing occasionally.

Here are the five cricketers who were caught in match-fixing and corruption scandals:

5. Ajay Jadeja

Former India batter Ajay Jadeja scored over 5,000 runs in ODIs and captained the nation in 13 matches. However, in 2000, he was handed a five-year ban by the BCCI following the CBI’s match-fixing investigation. Jadeja, along with others like Manoj Prabhakar and Ajay Sharma, was found to have links with bookies.

In 2001, he challenged the ban in court, and by January 2003, the Delhi High Court lifted the suspension, allowing him to play domestic cricket again. The 54-year-old has now transitioned into coaching and broadcasting roles.

4. Manoj Prabhakar

Former cricketer and coach Manoj Prabhakar was involved in Indian cricket’s biggest scandal in the late 1990s. It was first alleged in 1997 that a senior player had offered him INR 25 lakh to underperform in a 1994 match, later naming 1983 World Cup-winning skipper Kapil Dev. This resulted in a CBI inquiry and a BCCI investigation. Notably, Prabhakar himself was found guilty of having links with bookies and received a ban in 2000.

He also figured in a report by Tehelka in 1999. He faced criticism again for his portrayal in the 2016 film Azhar, which he felt misrepresented him. In 2011, he was sacked from Delhi’s coaching role after controversial comments. Interestingly, Prabhakar and Kapil Dev met once more during a BCCI interview in 2019.

3. Ajay Sharma

Former India batter, Ajay Sharma, faced a major setback in 2000 when he was handed a life ban for alleged involvement in match-fixing. His career ended suddenly at the age of 36, as he lived with the humiliation for 14 years.

However, in 2014, a Delhi district court cleared him of all charges and directed the BCCI to release his pending dues and allow his participation in cricket-related activities. Sharma expressed his desire to contribute to Delhi cricket and support his son Manan, now a domestic cricketer. He refrained from watching matches during the ban to protect his family from criticism. Today, Sharma runs successful UClean franchises in Delhi-NCR and Punjab and works as a Deputy GM.

2. Mohammad Azharuddin

Former India skipper Mohammad Azharuddin saw his illustrious career affected in 2000 when he was accused of match-fixing. During the tour of South Africa that year, Hansie Cronje alleged that Azhar introduced him to bookies. Following a CBI investigation, Azharuddin was handed a life ban by the BCCI and ICC.

Though a trial court confirmed the decision in 2003, which was later overturned by the Andhra Pradesh High Court in 2012, calling the ban illegal. Azharuddin, who played 99 Tests and 334 ODIs, revealed he did not know the real reason behind his ban. Later, he became the Hyderabad Cricket Association president in 2019 and even had a stand named after him. Notably, the former batter also has a film based on him, called Azhar, which is inspired by his life and the incidents that followed.

1. S. Sreesanth

In May 2013, former pacer S. Sreesanth was arrested alongside Rajasthan Royals teammates Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan for alleged spot-fixing in the IPL that year. The bowler was accused of conceding runs deliberately in exchange for money.

The BCCI imposed a life ban on him in September 2013 based on an internal investigation. While a Delhi court acquitted him in 2015, the Kerala High Court reinstated the ban in 2017. In 2019, the Supreme Court called the punishment excessive and asked BCCI to review it. Eventually, the ban was reduced to seven years, allowing Sreesanth to return in 2020. However, the pacer announced his retirement from domestic cricket on March 9, 2022.

Disclaimer: This latest news is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.