Dinesh Mongia awaits BCCI reply on amnesty plea, dues

NEWDELHI:Dinesh Mongia fell out of radar in Indian cricket following his suspension from the Indian Cricket League (ICL), a tournament in which he was also charged for match-fixing.

Years down the line, the lefthanded batsman who played 57 ODIs and one T20I, is now hoping to get his dues cleared by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), and also for his inclusion in amnesty for ICL cricketers.

Former New Zealand cricketer Lou Vincent had named Mongia as well as the Kiwi allrounder Chris Cairns in the match-fixing case in 2015 during a hearing at Southwark Crown Court in London.

Mongia and Cairns were also suspended from ICL on disciplinary grounds after the New Zealand all-rounder turned up for the tournament with an injured ankle, and allegedly, the Indian cricketer who was in knowledge of the injury failed to share the information with the tournament’s officials.

The 40-year-old Mongia has denied his involvement in the allegations of corruption in the now-defunct ICL, and now says that he is the only player to have not received the Indian cricket board’s amnesty for ICL cricketers.

Mongia told The Hindu, “There was no evidence against me. I was the only player not to receive BCCI’s amnesty to the ICL players. Ambati Rayudu earned a reprieve (for signing up with ICL) and went on to play for India.

“Is it not strange that the BCCI never banned me but has not responded to my requests to clear my dues. I have written to the BCCI and PCA (Punjab) but have not heard from them. I hope someone in the BCCI hears my case just as they have Mohammad Azharuddin’s,” he added.

Mongia, who played for India in the final of the 2003 ICC World Cup against Australia, had also blamed the Indian selectors for not giving him enough chances.

Mongia made his ODI debut in 2001 at Pune against Australia, while his only T20I was against South Africa at Johannesburg in 2006. He played his last match for India in May 2007.