Delhi left-arm seamer Pradeep Sangwan has failed a dope test to become the first Indian cricketer to gain this dubious distinction. Sangwan tested positive in the last season, according to sources familiar with the case.
Sangwan, who represents Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL, tested positive during a test conducted by the Board of Control for Cricket in India.
Pakistan seamer Mohammad Asif had tested positive for a banned drug during the inaugural edition of the IPL in 2008.
According to a Board source, the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) was informed on Wednesday that traces of the banned substance had been found in Sangwan’s ‘A’ sample.
‘B’ sample test
The ‘B’ sample test would be held if the player so demands or the Board goes ahead and tests it, in the presence of an independent observer.
A DDCA official confirmed having received the notice. “We will await more details and information on this matter,” said the official. Sangwan is in England for a shoulder surgery after having attended training at the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore.
According to anti-doping rules, the Board will refer the matter to a review board for a preliminary assessment before going ahead with the rest of the ‘results management process’.
Once that process is completed, and if Sangwan is charged after the ‘B’ sample test and confirmation, then the matter will be referred to a hearing panel.
Sangwan faces the prospect of suspension, depending on the category of substance detected.
Except for ‘specified substances’, which exclude steroids, hormones, EPO etc, the standard sanction is a two-year suspension.
With a tally of 123 first-class wickets, the 22-year-old Sangwan, constantly troubled by a shoulder injury, is considered an under-achiever after an impressive show in the 2008 under-19 World Cup in Kuala Lumpur when India won the title.
Under the Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs), players having illnesses or injuries from time to time and requiring to use particular substance(s) or method(s) from the WADA Prohibited List, are permitted to use the said drugs.
The ICC regularly stresses the importance of TUEs when players receive medical treatment. In this case, the DDCA official suspects that Sangwan might not have been aware of the drugs that were prohibited and might have made a mistake.
