NEW DELHI – India on Wednesday suspended a curator after he was seen in a TV sting operation claiming that he could tamper with the pitch ahead of the second India-New Zealand ODI.
Pandurang Salgaoncar, the curator, was caught in a sting operation, conducted by India Today TV. He can be seen and heard speaking to an undercover reporter, who poses as a bookie while standing on the pitch of the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium.
In the video, the 68-year-old Salgaoncar is seen agreeing to tamper with the pitch to suit the requirements put forth by the reporter. India Today TV said the video was shot last evening.
The reporters asked Salgaonkar that two players want to bounce on the pitch and if it can be done, to which Salgaonkar replied, “It will be done”.
Salgaonkar also said that it is going to be a 337-340 wicket either way. He also assured on camera that a score as big as 337 will be chaseable.
The 68-year old curator even allowed the reporters to inspect the pitch in person, clearly violating the laws set by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the International Cricket Council (ICC).
Salgaonkar is a former fast bowler who played 63 First-Class matches and 5 List-A games.
The ICC held a pitch inspection in Pune following the scandal but declared the pitch fit for the match and gave a go-ahead to the second ODI.
“The MCA has also suspended Salgaoncar from all other positions in the association. An inquiry Commission will also be constituted by MCA. At BCCI, we reiterate that we have zero tolerance towards any corrupt activity,” he added.
