Anti-corruption officers to monitor IPL play-off teams

In the wake of the spot-fixing scandal that has rocked the Indian Premier League, the organisers of the cash-rich T20 tournament has stepped up security for the remaining four teams by providing them officers from its Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU).

The decision was taken following Sunday’s emergent meeting of the BCCI’s working committee.

Both Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings, who are in the capital for the first play-off match, were on Monday provided an officer each.

They are scheduled to face-off on Tuesday at the Feroz Shah Kotla.

The other two teams, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals, who are scheduled to arrive in Delhi on Tuesday, have also been allotted an officer each.

“According to what we have been told, the officer will stay with the team, travel with us and will work with the team security in-charge,” a official from one of the franchises said.

The IPL last week found itself engulfed in a sensational spot-fixing scandal after Indian paceman S Sreesanth and two of his Rajasthan Royals teammates — Ajit Chadila and Ankeel Chavan — were arrested by the Delhi police which claimed that the trio received upto Rs 60 lakh from bookies for bowling manipulated overs.

The arrested players police custody ends today evening.

BCCI’s ACSU chief Ravi Sawani, who is also heading the commission of inquiry into the allegations against the three players, met senior Delhi police officials on Monday.

“I had a very useful meeting with the Delhi Commissioner of Police,” he said after the meeting.

“The BCCI has assured him of cooperation in the case. I also told him of Rajasthan Royals’ intention to file an FIR in the case,” he added.