Two matches of India-South Africa 2000 series were fixed, attempts made to fix others: Delhi HC

The India vs South Africa series in 2000 has came under the scanner as some matches were alleged to be fixed. The matter reached court with four accused named, who made attempts to fix the matches. Now, the Delhi Court had declared that some games from the Test series and ODI series were fixed and there were attempts to fix the further games. The two tests and five one-day international tour of South Africa was held from February 19 to March 19, 2000.

The court noted that the first Test in Mumbai from February 24 to 28, was fixed by South Africa with the aim of not scoring more than 250 runs in an innings. The court also noted that the second Test in Bengaluru from March 2 to 6 was on the verge of getting fixed by Hansie Cronje. Furthering the statement, the first ODI on March 9 in Kochi was declared to be a fixed match.

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"The conversation recorded on March 16, 2000, wherein Hansie Cronje demands outstanding payment and Hansie Cronje's statement before the King's Commission admitting receiving money from Sanjeev Chawla, clearly prove that the 1st One-Day International was a fixed match," said Delhi Court in verdict as quoted by India Today.

"The statement by Hansie Cronje made before the King's Commission that he had informed Sanjay (alias Sanjeev Chawla) about losing the first One-Day International is further corroborated by the statement of others made before the King's Commission," the court added.

South Africa broke the thirteen-year-old jinx

South Africa went on to win the Test series by a margin of 2-0 and India clinched the ODI series by a margin of 3-2. The Test series win by South Africa meant that it was the first instance in thirteen years that a visiting team won a series in India. The Bengaluru Test was also the last match played by Hansie Cronje, former South Africa captain.