Azharuddin Match Fixing The Darkest Secret unveiled By CBI Part 1

The Background of Azharuddin Match Fixing

In the late 1990s, Indian cricket was marred by one of its most infamous scandals – the match-fixing controversy involving former captain Mohammad Azharuddin. The revelation sent shockwaves through the cricketing world, tarnishing the image of a player who had once been regarded as one of India’s finest batsmen and leaders.

The allegations of match-fixing against Azharuddin surfaced in 2000, accusing him of being involved in manipulating the outcomes of cricket matches in exchange for monetary gains. The scandal implicated several other players and cast a dark shadow over the integrity of the sport. The accusations not only questioned the authenticity of the game but also shattered the faith of millions of cricket enthusiasts who held their heroes in high regard.

The Exploding Investigation Report of CBI

In a shocking turn of events, a match-fixing report released by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had named nine former Test captains, including iconic Indian skipper Mohammad Azharuddin. The 162-page report, unveiled by Sports Minister Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, implicates five Indian and nine foreign players, as well as an Indian physiotherapist.

Indian Players Involved

According to testimonies from bookmakers and players interviewed by the CBI, the Indian players implicated in the scandal include Mohammad Azharuddin, Ajay Jadeja, Manoj Prabhakar, Nayan Mongia, and Ajay Sharma. Allegations suggest that they accepted money to fix matches, tarnishing the reputation of Indian cricket.

Former Indian captain and coach Kapil Dev, however, emerged unscathed as the CBI found no evidence against him, refuting accusations made by his teammate Prabhakar. The report details an alleged offer of 25,000 dollars by Kapil Dev to Prabhakar for playing poorly in a one-day match against Pakistan in 1994.

Foreign Players in the Spotlight

The list of foreign players named in the report is equally distressing for cricket fans worldwide. Test cricket legends Alec Stewart, Brian Lara, Hansie Cronje, Arjuna Ranatunga, Aravinda De Silva, Martin Crowe, Asif Iqbal, Salim Malik, and Australia’s Mark Waugh find themselves implicated in the match-fixing scandal. The involvement of such revered names sends shock waves through the cricketing community. Later on, the South African skipper Hansie Cronje admitted that he was involved in the match fixing and he did mention about Azhar and the Indian Bookie.

Australian Angle: Mark Waugh and Ali Irani

Australia’s Mark Waugh, along with former Indian physiotherapist Ali Irani, has also been implicated in the report. The revelation that “John,” the mysterious Indian bookmaker who allegedly paid Waugh and Shane Warne for information, is the same person who bribed Cronje adds a layer of intrigue to the scandal.

Bookmaker's Claims and Payments

The CBI report suggests that bookmaker Mukesh Gupta, using the alias “John” while dealing with international players, paid 20,000 dollars to Waugh for information during a one-day series in Sri Lanka in 1994. It further claims that Gupta paid Lara, Crowe, and Stewart for various information but emphasizes that they refused offers to fix matches.

Hansie Cronje’s connection to Gupta was revealed during the South African King commission, where he stated that Azharuddin introduced him to the bookmaker during the 1996 series in India. Gupta admitted paying Cronje $40,000 during the Kanpur Test to ensure a “South African loss” and as an “investment for the future.”

Azharuddin's Confession and Serious Indictments

Perhaps the most damning revelation is Azharuddin’s alleged confession to fixing games with the assistance of colleagues Jadeja and Mongia. The report suggests that Sharma and Irani acted as conduits with bookmakers. Jadeja, accused of offering his services for fixing matches, received money from a bookmaker named Uttam Chand, according to Gupta.

Prabhakar, who initially blew the whistle on the scandal in 1997, is portrayed as being closely associated with bookmakers during and after his playing career. The report details instances of Prabhakar under-performing, passing on information, and introducing foreign players to Gupta and other bookmakers.

Legal Implications and Hope for the Future

Sports Minister Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa has forwarded the report to the law ministry for further evaluation. While formal charges have not been levied against any named individual, Dhindsa expresses hope that the report’s impact will deter future instances of match-fixing. He states, “I am certain that no player will indulge in match-fixing, at least for the time being.” What the sports minister had quoted found its place in history as we had and have been witnessing the match fixing and spot fixing scandal on the verge. In the fabulous and extravaganza edition of IPL, we saw the Indian Cricketer Srisant did spot fixing the match.

The ICC has implemented the strict rules and taken severe actions against such players yet such malpractices continue even today.

Conclusion

As the cricketing world grapples with these shocking revelations, the focus now shifts to the legal repercussions and the steps cricket boards and authorities will take to restore the integrity of the game. The Azharuddin match-fixing scandal stands as a dark chapter in cricket history, prompting a collective call for transparency, accountability, and a renewed commitment to the spirit of fair play.

FAQs

Which Indian cricketer got caught in match fixing?

Mohammad Azharuddin faced allegations of match-fixing in 2000, leading to a life ban, later lifted by the Andhra Pradesh High Court in 2012.

2. Who was the match-fixing in the 2000 Indian cricket team?

The match-fixing scandal in 2000 involved several players, with Mohammad Azharuddin being a prominent figure accused of manipulating cricket match outcomes.

3. Which cricketer was caught out on Netflix?

The Netflix series “Selection Day” features a storyline involving match-fixing, but no specific cricketer is directly portrayed as being caught out.

4.Was Manoj Prabhakar a match fixer?

Manoj Prabhakar was accused of involvement in match-fixing, but allegations against him were not conclusively proven, and he has denied any wrongdoing.