Committee Of Administrators Sack BCCI’s Anti-Corruption Unit chief Neeraj Kumar

The Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators, on Friday (October 28), sacked the chief of BCCI’s Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) Neeraj Kumar and as a result, he will no longer work as the chief of the unit after December 31, 2017. The Vinod Rai-led panel took the decision in the aftermath of the Pune pitch controversy in which pitch curator Pandurang Salgaonkar was caught red-handed leaking classified details to outsiders before the second ODI between India and New Zealand.

In a sting operation carried out by India Today, Salgaonkar had revealed the pitch information with the reporters who were disguised as media personals. Salgaonkar had not only revealed the details of the pitch but had also agreed to alter it as per the ‘bookies’ demands. The story was revealed few hours before the game and the curator was immediately suspended. He is currently under ICC investigation.

Committee Of Administrators Sack BCCI’s Anti-Corruption Unit chief Neeraj Kumar
Pandurang Salgaonkar had revealed the details to reporters disguised as bookies

Meanwhile, reports are also suggesting that Kumar was not fault for the pitch fiasco as his requirements regarding the need to upgrade the system was ignored by the Indian board.

 

Security beefed up for the series decider:

 

Committee Of Administrators Sack BCCI’s Anti-Corruption Unit chief Neeraj Kumar
The series-decider will be played at Kanpur’s Green Park Stadium

In order to avoid a similar incident, the BCCI and the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) is taking all possible steps.  According to media reports, the Kanpur curator has been gagged by the board while the security has been increased around the surface for the third and final ODI.

“There was never any such instructions before in my long association with the Green Park,” the Kanpur security guard was quoted as saying by DNA.

He also laughed off the Pune Pitch fiasco in which Salgaonkar had predicted the scoreline.

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“Every groundsman who is involved on daily basis with pitch preparation can predict how many runs are going to be scored. What is the big deal? Any hostel boy (pointing at sports hostel nearby) can tell you about the score in the next game,” he added.

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