Pune: The sudden development in India vs New Zealand match, scheduled to be held here on Wednesday, has shocked the sports fraternity when few journalists accessed the information about the pitch from the curator.Maharashtra Cricket Association curator Pandurang Salgaonkar said that the pitch can be made as per their needs.
He divulged the information to the journalists who posed as bookies during a sting.The entire conversation has been captured on a camera just hours before the India-New Zealand second ODI in Pune.The sting has put question marks over the integrity of the contest with the Maharashtra Cricket Association curator giving access to reporters, disguised as bookies.
The sting has revealed that Salgaonkar told bookies he can make the pitch as per their demand when he was asked about bounce on the pitch.Furthermore, the curator also said 337-340 runs can be made on this pitch and that is also "chaseable".Later talking to media outside the venue of match, Maharashtra Cricket Association president Abhay Apte said that they have ordered an inquiry into the sting and a strict action would be taken against Salgaonkar if found guilty.
The Maharashtra Cricket Association, whose headquarters is in Pune, said board will not tolerate such corruption exposed by media.Apte said they are in the process to set up an inquiry commission soon against Salgaonkar and said the 68-year-old Salgonkar has been getting a salary of Rs 65,000 a month after his retirement from BCCI, besides pension from BCCI. (UNI)