Indian cricket

Three Test matches featuring Indian cricket team were fixed, claims Al Jazeera sting

A 10-over session in the India-Australia Test match in Ranchi last year had been fixed, the Al Jazeera documentary has claimed. (BCCI)

In the last two years, at least three Test matches featuring India have been fixed, claims a documentary on cricket corruption made by Al Jazeera’s investigative unit. The Doha-based TV channel has shared exclusive footage with Hindustan Times that argues how a Mumbai-based former Indian first-class cricketer, an Indian advertisement executive based in the UAE and members of the D-Company use their ‘connections’ in the cricket establishment and even in the International Cricket Council (ICC) to decide on the outcome of matches.

The sensational sting operation done by journalist David Harrison suggests how match fixers bribe curators, current and former cricketers to fix the outcome of sessions or an entire match. In the eye of the storm are Pakistan’s Hasan Raza (youngest to play a Test match) and three Sri Lankan internationals – Dilhara Lokuhettige, Jeevantha Kulatunga and Tharindu Mendis – who are seen heavily involved in either spot-fixing or doctoring the pitch to force a result within a specific number of days.

READ | India’s Galle Test vs Sri Lanka in 2017 was fixed, claims Al Jazeera report

Also in the spotlight is Tharanga Indika, the curator of Galle Stadium who admits to doctoring pitches. It was under his supervision that Australia lost a Test is less than two-and-a-half days in August 2016 and India amassed 600 in their first innings in July 2017. Both ‘events’ were as ‘scripted by match-fixers’, the documentary suggests.

The India versus England Test played in Chennai (December 16-20), the India versus Australia Test in Ranchi (March 16-20, 2017) and the Galle Test between India and Sri Lanka (July 26-29, 2017) were influenced by bookmakers, says the documentary titled ‘Cricket’s Match-Fixers’ that can be seen online on Sunday at 3.30 PM IST. Particular sessions in all the three games were ‘scripted’ by players in collusion with match fixers. No India cricketers are mentioned in such spot-fixing episodes.

Investigations suggest that at least two Australian cricketers were involved in Ranchi and three Englishmen fixed sessions in Chennai. While the England players have denied these charges, the Australians have not reacted at all.

A wary ICC, which is not shown in good light, has now reacted to the Al Jazeera probe and started an investigation into the allegations.

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“We have already launched an investigation working with anti-corruption colleagues from Member countries based on the limited information we have received. We have made repeated requests that all evidence and supporting materials relating to corruption in cricket is released immediately to enable us to undertake a full and comprehensive investigation,” the ICC said.

The documentary highlights how match-fixers have found subtle ways to fix sessions and pitches. It also shows the ease and confidence with which the chain of operators works.

“Each script I will give you, will happen, happen and happen,” Aneel Munawar, a member of the D-Company tells Harrison, who poses as a businessman and meets the notorious stake holders during various stages of the operation mostly shot in Mumbai, the UAE and Sri Lanka.

Aneel Munawar, a member of the notorious D-Company, features in the Al Jazeera sting. ( Video screengrab )

Robin Morris, a former Indian first-class cricketer, is seemingly in the centre of the multi-million dollar fixing operation. The former all-rounder, who once played in the controversial Indian Cricket League T20 for Mumbai Champs boasts about his ability to fix players and curators.

“I have a set of 30 players who will play what I tell them to do,” says Morris. His business partner, Gaurav Rajkumar, adds: “We don’t care about the entertainment as long as we are making our money.” The extent of control of match fixer