A significant scandal has surfaced in Indian cricket, just before the Asia Cup final against Pakistan on September 28th. The scandal involves allegations of widespread corruption, with coaches connected to Rohit Sharma and Virender Sehwag revealing damning information. They claim that players are forced to pay bribes to secure their spots in the team. These allegations are based on evidence gathered through a hidden camera investigation.
At the heart of the issue is the practice of demanding money for opportunities in domestic cricket. Multiple players are reported to have been victimized. Anurag Kumar, Rohit Saini, and Vicky were allegedly pressured into paying significant sums for a chance to play in the Ranji Trophy. Anurag was reportedly asked for 20 lakh, Rohit for 15 lakh, and Vicky for 18 lakh rupees. These players subsequently filed written complaints with different police stations in Delhi last December.
Following the legal proceedings, the accused agreed to reimburse Vicky. 13 lakh rupees were returned over the last nine months. However, neither Rohit nor Anurag has received any money. Anurag Kumar, Rohit Saini, and Vicky shared their accounts of the events. They stated they were approached during a cricket tournament in Mau, Uttar Pradesh. A man named Sangharsh Anand offered them a place in the Bihar Ranji team. Anand then created fake documents for the players and arranged for them to participate in some Bihar Cricket Association tournaments.
The players were of the opinion that Anand was helping them because of their performance. Anand later told them he would secure their selection in the Bihar Ranji team, taking 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 had invited him to Bihar to play the Heeman Trophy, where he played in a few matches.
Later, Sangharsh and Saras facilitated a conversation between Vicky and a member of the Bihar selection board. Following this conversation, Vicky gave them 18 lakh rupees. However, they subsequently backed out of their agreement and stopped responding to Vicky’s calls. When the players began to exert pressure, they were threatened with their lives. Reports indicate there are several individuals who actively seek to extort money from players. One such person 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 have revealed that Nabam Guniya’s relatives hold influential positions within the association. The reports state that Nabam Guniya accepts 25 lakh rupees from players, allowing them to play two Ranji matches. This corruption is not limited to players and agents, but also recognized by prominent cricket coaches, who also agree that selections cannot be made without money and influence.
AN Sharma, who formerly coached Virender Sehwag, reported that money is openly exchanged for selections in the Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA). To get your son into the under-19 team, you would need about 15 to 16 lakh rupees. Also, bribes are required to play in the playing eleven. Madan Sharma, the coach of Shikhar Dhawan, indicated that talent is not the only factor in selection at DDCA.
He highlighted the case of a player who was the best performer in Delhi last season, but he 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 pointed out that a boy was selected for the World Cup team but not for the state team. Pawan Negi was part of the World Cup and Asia Cup teams but was not chosen for the state’s Ranji team during the same season. Randhir Singh and Madan Sharma affirm that the current state of cricket is characterized by recommendations and corruption.
Shravan Kumar, who coached Ishant Sharma, shared that only those with financial resources can succeed in cricket. He stated that in the past, competition in Delhi was strong, and the best players were selected based on their skill. However, this is not the situation now. Selections for the under-16, 17, and 19 teams now require payments of 15-25 lakh rupees.
Rohit Sharma’s coach, Dinesh Lad, explained that Rohit Sharma himself was a victim of the corruption. He stated that the Kalpesh Koli tournament is organized in Mumbai for under-16 selections. While Rohit Sharma was chosen for the Borivali team, the coach did not give him any matches to make sure that his preferred player would play. Therefore, Rohit’s ambition of playing in the under-16 team was thwarted.
Nonetheless, Rohit was fortunate, as the BCCI moved this tournament from under-16 to under-17, giving Rohit Sharma another opportunity. He performed well and received the best player award. Dinesh Lad believes that money plays a significant role in selection in Mumbai, but no one can speak up because any protest could ruin their career.