The Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has been vigilant in its watch on untoward elements during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. The ACU has evicted suspected bookies from two venues, both involving Rajasthan Royals, in Mumbai and Jaipur.
Suspicious activity in Rajasthan Royals games in IPL 2024
According to a BCCI official, the ACU handed over two suspected bookies to local police from a corporate box during the Rajasthan Royals’ home game against Delhi Capitals on March 28. Later on April 1, two suspects were handed over to police from the MCA President’s Box at the Wankhede Stadium. While an FIR was lodged against both individuals in Jaipur, the case in Mumbai ended up being a possible case of mistaken identity.
The ACU is understood to have swung into action based on CCTV and live TV footage. The BCCI official, on condition of anonymity, stressed that the ACU, with the support of the BCCI machinery, is “doing its best to keep corrupt elements away from the IPL”.
— Out Of Context Cricket (@GemsOfCricket) April 18, 2024
Interestingly, the MCA President’s Box – situated right above the Wankhede Stadium dressing rooms – is strictly meant for invitees, with none of the 200 tickets sold to the general public. This incident highlights the vigilance of the ACU and its commitment to maintaining the integrity of the sport.
The presence of bookies at these games is a serious concern as they exploit the time delay between real-time action and live telecast or streaming, referred to as pitch-sliding, to profit from illegal betting. By attending matches in person, they can relay information in real-time, thereby gaining an unfair advantage.
The IPL has been rocked by betting controversies in the past. In 2013, the police arrested three RR players – S Sreesanth, Ajit Chandila, and Ankeet Chavan – after their match in Mumbai over alleged spot-fixing. Eleven bookies were also detained by the police. Sreesanth, Chandila, and Chavan received life bans after the investigation while RR and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) were banned for two seasons.
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