The Indian cricket team is preparing for the Asia Cup final against Pakistan on September 28th. Amidst intensive training, a significant scandal has erupted, shaking the foundations of Indian cricket. Coaches of Rohit Sharma and Virender Sehwag have made shocking revelations, alleging that players are compelled to pay hefty bribes to secure their place in the team. This exposé, captured by a spy cam, unveils the pervasive corruption within the sport.
The allegations center around the practice of demanding bribes for selection in domestic cricket. Three players, Anurag Kumar, Rohit Saini, and Vicky, reportedly fell victim to this scheme. They were allegedly asked to pay large sums of money to be included in the Ranji Trophy. Anurag was asked for 20 lakh, Rohit for 15 lakh, and Vicky for 18 lakh rupees. These players lodged written complaints with different police stations in Delhi last December.
Upon the case reaching court, the accused agreed to return the money to Vicky and have paid back 13 lakh rupees over the last nine months. However, neither Rohit nor Anurag has received any money. Anurag Kumar, Rohit Saini, and Vicky recounted how they were approached during a cricket tournament in Mau, Uttar Pradesh. A person named Sangharsh Anand contacted them, claiming he could get them into the Bihar Ranji team. Anand then created fake documents for the three players and had them play a few matches in the Bihar Cricket Association tournaments.
The players believed Anand was helping them because of their performance. Anand then told them he would ensure their selection in the Bihar Ranji team and took 20 lakh rupees from Anurag, 15 lakh rupees from Rohit, and 18 lakh rupees from Vicky. Vicky, a fast bowler, stated in his police complaint that Sangharsh Anand and Saras Anand called him to Bihar to play the Heeman Trophy, where he was made to play matches.
Subsequently, Sangharsh and Saras arranged for Vicky to speak to a member of the Bihar selector board. After this, Vicky paid 18 lakh rupees. However, both then reneged on their promises and stopped answering his calls. When the players started to put pressure, the accused began to threaten them with their lives. Reports suggest that several individuals are actively seeking to exploit players for money. One name that has emerged is Nabam Guniya from Arunachal Pradesh, a former selector for Arunachal Pradesh cricket and currently a secretary of a district within the Arunachal Pradesh Cricket Association.
Investigations revealed that Nabam Guniya’s relatives hold high positions in the association. Reports indicate that Nabam Guniya takes 25 lakh rupees from players to allow them to play two Ranji matches. The corruption is not limited to players and agents, as renowned cricket coaches also agree that team selection is impossible without money and influence.
AN Sharma, the former coach of Virender Sehwag, stated that money openly changes hands in the Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) for selections. He added that if you want your son to play in the under-19 team, you must have around 15 to 16 lakh rupees. Additionally, bribes are necessary to be included in the playing eleven. Madan Sharma, the coach of Shikhar Dhawan, mentioned that selection in DDCA does not depend on talent.
He pointed out that a player who was the best performer in Delhi last season was not included in the under-16 team. Randhir Singh, the coach of Yuzvendra Chahal and Pawan Negi, shared his experience with Pawan Negi. He said that a boy is selected for the World Cup team but is not included in the state team. When asked, no one answered. Pawan Negi was in the World Cup and Asia Cup teams but was not selected for the state’s Ranji team during the same season. Randhir Singh and Madan Sharma emphasize that the present state of cricket is governed by recommendations and corruption.
Shravan Kumar, who coached Ishant Sharma, revealed that only those with money can advance in cricket. He claimed that earlier, competition in Delhi was intense, and the best players were selected. However, this is no longer the case. Selections for under-16, 17, and 19 teams now require payments of 15-25 lakh rupees.
Rohit Sharma’s coach, Dinesh Lad, stated that even Rohit Sharma himself fell victim to this corruption. He mentioned that the Kalpesh Koli tournament is held in Mumbai for under-16 selections. Although Rohit Sharma was selected for the Borivali team, the coach did not give Rohit a single match to ensure his preferred player got to play. As a result, Rohit’s dream of playing in the under-16 team was shattered.
However, Rohit was lucky. In the same year, the BCCI removed this tournament from under-16 and moved it to under-17, giving Rohit Sharma another chance. He performed well and was awarded the best player award. Dinesh Lad believes that money also plays a role in selection in Mumbai, but no one can raise their voice because any protest ruins their career.
