Mumbai/Nagpur: Even as the BCCI looks to undertake the initiative to clean up Indian cricket, there is fresh embarrassment for the Indian cricket board with a top Board official coming under the scanner after being spotted with a suspected bookie.
CNN-IBN has learnt that the ICC has sent a strongly-worded warning to the BCCI about Anurag Thakur, the board Secretary, socialising with a suspected bookie recently.
In its letter dated the 22nd of April that CNN-IBN has accessed, the ICC has written to BCCI President Jagmohan Dalmiya informing it about allegations against Thakur socialising with Mr Karan Gilhotra a couple of days after being elected the BCCI secretary.
Incidentally, Gilhotra’s name appears on the latest ICC ACSU database.
Media House CNN-IBN has accessed the photographs that show Thakur in what seems to be celebratory mode, with Karan Gilhotra who in one of the photos, is seen offering cake to the board secretary. The ICC mail states that its ACSU had received unverified information during the 2014 IPL about Gilhotra trying to befriend players and support staff, and also about his alleged involvement in cricket betting.
Interestingly, the ICC mail that CNN-IBN has accessed also states that Ravi Sawani, Director of the BCCI ACSU had written to all franchise managers in 2014 advising them to take steps to make sure Gilhotra wasn’t entertained by any of their squad members.
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Interestingly it’s been four days since the ICC wrote to the BCCI, but there hasn’t been any acknowledgement or response from the Indian cricket board. This new revelation comes at a time when Indian cricket is struggling with charges of betting and spot-fixing in the game, and it will be interesting to see how the board reacts, and what steps it takes.
