BENGALURU: The arrests of former Karnataka players C.M. Gautam and Abrar Kazi for alleged spot-fixing serve a timely reminder that corruption is still rampant in the game and much more effort is still required to weed out the ill practices of spot-fixing.
As news trickled in on Thursday that the Bengaluru police arrested C.M. Gautam and his teammate Abrar Kazi on allegations of spot-fixing in the final of the Karnataka Premier League (KPL), the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) released a statement later in the day.
“The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) is committed to organising cricket tournaments which are fair and transparent that would enhance the credibility of the game, the brand, and the organisation,” the statement read
Immediate fallout
Gautam who shifted to Goa Cricket for this season and was supposed to captain the side to take part in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament saw his contract terminated by the Goa Cricket Association (GCA).
He was an integral part of the Karnataka Ranji sides that dominated the domestic landscape during the 2013/14- 14/15 seasons.
Kazi had shifted to Mizoram this season and featured in a single game in the IPL for Royal Challengers Bangalore.
The duo of Gautam and Kazi are also suspended by the KSCA and cannot take part in any cricketing activities organised by the KSCA till the suspension ends and stand to face ‘stringent action’ if found guilty.
