cricket

Updated: Jun 27, 2015 00:46 IST

HT has learnt from a reliable source that it was Pravin Tambe, the Rajasthan Royals leg-spinner, who had allegedly been approached by his Mumbai Ranji teammate at the beginning of this year’s Indian Premier League (IPL) to help fix matches.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had then kept the matter confidential, not naming the player who was approached or who approached him.

It only acknowledged in a press release that a player had been approached, while profusely praising its anti-corruption education programme.

It’s been over two months now but the investigation is yet to reach its conclusion. In view of the ongoing probe and since the nature of approach is to be established, the investigators have not disclosed the identity of the player who approached Tambe.

Apart from the probe, more embarrassment could be in store for the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA).

Every year, it picks 30 probables for the Ranji Trophy in July, and only a few days are left before the probables are named for the season ahead. There is a chance that the player who approached Tambe might also be picked and could well start training.

“We haven’t received information from the BCCI on who the two players are. We will not know till they inform us,” said Nitin Dalal, MCA treasurer, who was the joint-secretary when the incident came to light.

The BCCI too confirmed that the investigation is still to be completed.

“The investigation is the subject of the anti-corruption and security unit (ACSU) and once it submits the report, the disciplinary committee of the BCCI will act on it,” BCCI president Jagmohan Dalmiya told HT.

Despite repeated attempts, Tambe could not be contacted for comment.