Delhi court reveals startling details of 2000 match-fixing scandal as 'Hanse Cronje agreed to fix the score of Herschelle Gibbs'

A court in New Delhi has revealed some startling facts related to the infamous 2000 match-fixing scandal that had rocked and tainted the gentlemen's game. The court has also framed charges against four individuals, accusing them of cheating and criminal conspiracy.

The match-fixing was done during South Africa's tour of India with former Proteas captain Hansie Cronje as one of the main accused. Apart from Cronje, former South Africa cricketers Herschelle Gibbs, Nicky Boje, and Pieter Strydom's names were involved in the scandal as well.

During the hearing, the court stated that some matches of the India-South Africa Test and ODI series were fixed, and attempts were made to fix other fixtures too. The match-fixing scandal took place during the two Tests and five ODIs between February 19 and March 19.

Delhi court on 2000 match-fixing scandal:

The court revealed the details of the recorded conversation between Cronje and London-based bookie Sanjeev Chawla. In 2000, the Delhi police had managed to get their hands on the recording of the conversation between Cronje and Chawla by intercepting the calls.

Referring to the recorded conversation before the fifth and final ODI between India and South Africa, the court observed that, "it is evident that Hansie Cronje had agreed to fix the score of the match, and he had also agreed to fix the individual score of Herschelle Gibbs.

"He had also spoken to Williams to give more than 50 runs in his 10 overs. Both were promised USD 15000 each.

"Though the players forgot about the deal in the heat of the game and did not play as per agreed terms, it can be concluded that a serious attempt was made to fix the match.

"From the recorded conversations, it is revealed that between the accused persons, large amounts of foreign exchange has also changed hands through hawala dealings for onward payment to the South African members who were part of the criminal conspiracy," the court added.

The 2000 match-fixing episode is one of the biggest scandals in the game that had completely rocked the cricketing fraternity. Cronje was sacked as the South Africa captain and was banned for life before he tragically passed away in a plane crash.

On the other hand, Chawla was extradited to India in 2000. Later in 2013, the Delhi police filed an FIR for the match-fixing scandal and the chargesheet included several South African cricketers including Cronje.