The Board of Cricket Control of India (BCCI) on Saturday banned five players who were involved in the spot fixing scandal during season five of the Indian Premiere League (IPL).
The players are Kings XI Punjab players Amit Yadav and Shalabh Srivastava, Pune Warriors India player Mohnish Mishra and Abhinav Bali, and top-wicket taker of the 2011-2012 Ranji season TP Sudhindra who represented Deccan Chargers this year.
The BCCI banned Sudhindra for life, while the other four players were given less severe punishments. News channel India TV, which led the sting operation, had the cricketers confess their role in taking "under the table" payments from IPL franchisees in a bid to continue playing for the franchise teams.
"The Committee held Sudhindra guilty of actually receiving a consideration to spot-fix in a domestic cricket match, and hence imposed exemplary penalty on him. Sudhindra has been debarred for life, from playing any cricket matches conducted or authorised by the ICC or BCCI, or any affiliated unit of the BCCI," the Board said in a statement.
Sundhindra, who denied all accusations and maintained his innocence, is banned from holding a position in any cricket association that is affiliated to the BCCI. He will also not receive any benefits from BCCI including the monthly gratis, benevolent fund and benefit match.
Player Shalabh Srivastava received a ban for five years after he was found guilty of negotiating a match-fix that eventually didn't take off. Similarly, he is also not entitled to receive benefits from the BCCI and is barred from holding a position in any cricket association linked the Board.
The other three players Amit Yadav, Mohnish Mishra and Abhinav were handed a one-year ban which is effective from May 15 when the players were first suspended.
Meanwhile, former cricket players Arun Lal and Syed Kirmani have welcomed the BCCI's decision. Arun Lal said that the tainted players do not deserve sympathy and should be punished if found guilty.
"No sympathy should be shown to these players. Those engaging in such corrupt practices should be handed exemplary punishment," he told Zee News.
