close_game
close_game

BCCI uses Ahmedabad Test row to educate upcoming players

Hindustan Times | By, New Delhi
Jul 23, 2014 03:47 PM IST

India’s controversial decision not to enforce the follow-on in the 1999 Ahmedabad Test against New Zealand is among the big mysteries in Indian cricket. It is being used as educational reference.

India’s controversial decision not to enforce the follow-on in the 1999 Ahmedabad Test against New Zealand is among the big mysteries in Indian cricket. But as far as the BCCI’s Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) is concerned, it is an open and shut case.

HT Image
HT Image

It is being used as educational reference, as one where illegal bookies knew in advance that India would not enforce the follow-on. This has been revealed in documentary evidence accessed by HT. Sachin Tendulkar was the captain of the side and Kapil Dev the coach.

Last September, ACSU director Ravi Sawani and its assistant anti-corruption manager, Anshuman Upadhyay, conducted an anti-corruption education seminar for first class, club level and age group players at the Delhi District Cricket Association (DDCA) complex.

Dubious ways
Upadhyay, a former central security officer, told the gathering of Ranji players and budding cricketers: “You know, match-fixing started much before 2000 (when the scandal broke). There was a match held in Ahmedabad where India were playing against some foreign side. India were in a very strong position and it was expected that they would enforce the follow-on. The entire nation was expecting that the next day.”

What he then said with a straight face stunned those present in the hall. “That did not happen,” he said.

“But bookies sitting in Delhi and Mumbai knew that the follow-on would not be given. Later, the BCCI asked the captain why he did not enforce the follow-on. The captain refused to answer and said ‘ask the coach’. The coach said, ‘don’t ask me, ask the team as it was a collective decision’.”

Denying statement
However, when HT asked Upadhyay if he made such references in that seminar, he denied saying only Sawani was authorised to speak to the media.

In the Test which eventually ended in a draw, India piled up 583 in the first innings and New Zealand scored 308 in reply. India, despite a lead of 275, did not ask the Kiwis to bat again.

Clean Chit
Former CBI joint director, K Madhavan, the then BCCI vigilance commissioner, examined the statements of Tendulkar, Kapil and team manager Ajit Wadekar and found nothing suspicious.

Parveen Kumar Soni, the seminar coordinator, told HT. “It was a learning experience for all youngsters plus senior players because players were not aware how this fixing thing happens. ASCU officers had given a lot of examples and taught the players how to conduct themselves.”

A junior player who attended the session told Hindustan Times: “During the lecture, I was not shocked at what Upadhyay said. But when I came back and checked that Test on the website, I found Sachin was the captain and Kapil paaji the coach. That was when I realised why they are talking about that match.”

ICC Champions Trophy , ICC Champions Trophy Schedule , and Champions Trophy 2025 Points Table – stay ahead with real-time match updates, team standings, and insights. Check live cricket score , player stats, and ICC rankings of top players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli . Get expert analysis, match previews, and in-depth coverage of ICC CT 2025, IPL 2025 Schedule and IPL 2025, all on HT Crickit, powered by Hindustan Times – your trusted source for cricket news.
See More
ICC Champions Trophy , ICC Champions Trophy Schedule , and Champions Trophy 2025 Points Table – stay ahead with real-time match updates, team standings, and insights. Check live cricket score , player stats, and ICC rankings of top players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli . Get expert analysis, match previews, and in-depth coverage of ICC CT 2025, IPL 2025 Schedule and IPL 2025, all on HT Crickit, powered by Hindustan Times – your trusted source for cricket news.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Tuesday, February 18, 2025
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On