Indian cricketer Mohammed Siraj was approached by an unknown individual seeking “inside information” about the Indian team prior to Australia’s tour of India earlier this year. Siraj reported the incident to the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) Anti-Corruption Unit, who subsequently arrested the individual responsible.
According to a report by the Press Trust of India (PTI), the man who approached Siraj had allegedly lost money during India’s games and was seeking assistance out of frustration. However, a senior BCCI source confirmed that the individual was not a bookie, but rather a driver from Hyderabad who was addicted to betting on India matches.
“Siraj reported the approach immediately. The law enforcement (Andhra Police) authorities had nabbed the person,” the source told PTI on condition of anonymity.
The incident occurred during India’s white ball series against New Zealand and Sri Lanka in January and February of 2023. The Australian team arrived in India to play the Border Gavaskar trophy, which India won, although the Aussies were successful in defeating the Indian team in the ODI series.
The BCCI has taken several measures to strengthen its Anti-Corruption Unit since the fixing episode in 2013. Each Indian Premier League team now has a dedicated ACU official who stays in the same hotel and monitors all the movements at the ground. Additionally, players are required to attend mandatory ACU workshops to learn about the dos and don’ts of anti-corruption measures, and those who fail to report corrupt approaches face sanctions.