After TNPL, Karnataka Premier League Face Fixing Allegations

Just days after Tamil Nadu Premier League landed in troubled waters due to spot-fixing allegations, Karnataka Premier League has also followed suit. The Karnataka Premier League has now also come under the scanner of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)’s Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU).

According to reports, the ACU has received ‘tip-offs’ about players being approached by unidentified people in other T20 leagues as well. The Karnataka Premier League is also involved in the same. As per report in The Hindu, a number of players in the KPL this season reported suspicious approaches.

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Players have sent the ACU screenshots of WhatsApp conversations, where unknown people — posing as fans — sought information about matches and team combinations.

“Some of the players involved in the KPL have reported instances where unknown people tried to be friendly with them via WhatsApp. We have taken note of their complaints and are looking into the matter,” BCCI’s ACU chief Ajit Singh said.

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Singh did not reveal much details into the matter but reports suggest that ACU is keeping a close tab on a few players — who have also played at the international level. There were allegations of malpractices in the KPL last year too, and the ACU had probed a few people. However, the investigation is still believed to be ongoing.

“For the franchise leagues, the bookies usually make lesser-known players who hail from the districts as the soft targets,” a source said.

Singh, meanwhile, did agree that bookies often target lesser known players. He, however, insisted that the signs are promising at the moment since the players are willing to approach the authorities to report any suspicious activity.

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“However, it is a positive sign that the players are coming forward and reporting any suspicious activities. We are looking into all the aspects,” he said.

Meanwhile, in a desperate attempt to curb the fixing menace, the BCCI had decided that its own ACU would be in charge of all the domestic leagues. Accordingly, a group of four ACU officers were deputed for the KPL and TNPL.