Anti-corruption unit’s glare on micro-leagues
While BCCI’s threemember Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) is keeping a vigil on the IPL matches and Board’s other games following the 2013 spot-fixing scandal, a different challenge has emerged — monitoring leagues organised at state and district levels. Neeraj Kumar, head of BCCI’s ACU, told HT: “These small leagues are a concern. While we have managed to keep an eye on top-level cricket, there is little we can do about the smaller, statelevel leagues.”
Of late, Tamil Nadu Premier League, Karnataka Premier League, Haryana Premier League and Rajasthan’s Rajwada Cricket League (RCL) have all taken off. Interestingly, most of these leagues run despite struggling to break even.
RCL, which was hosted by the Kota District Cricket Association a couple of months ago, was telecast live by the Neo channel. But some results raised eyebrows.
The final, won by Jodhpur Jodhana beating Udaipur Mewar Royals, ended in a bizarre way. Jodhpur needed 17 off the last two balls but managed to reach the target following a series of wides and no balls.
Questions have been raised about RCL’s legitimacy. Somendra Tiwari, RCA secretary, says, “We did not give any permission to RCL. Still they invited state players and some from outside.”
IPL chairman, Rajeev Shukla says, “For organising a statelevel or district-level league, you need the permission of the association. We do keep an eye on those which come under the state unit and thereby the board.”
RCA vice-president Ameen Pathan, who heads the Kota unit and initiated the league, says, “The tournament was a success. As an RCA vice-president, I am authorised to hold it.” The Rajasthan unit is run by the BCCI as the state body remains suspended.