Five arrested in Mumbai for betting on India v Australia series

Mumbai Police recently raided a house in the city to nab five people who were allegedly betting on the ongoing India v Australia ODI series. The police raided the flat in suburban Mulund area. As per reports, the police raid resulted in the arrest of a suspected bookie as well. The bookie has been identified as Pravin Devde.

Four other men, along with Pravin, were arrested in the raid. The police had reportedly sensed the illegitimate activities in the house and hence wanted to catch them red-handed. All five persons have been arrested under relevant sections of the Bombay Prevention of Gambling Act, the police confirmed.

The police as per the New Indian Express, have also confiscated three laptops, nine mobile phones, and cash as much as INR 2 Lakh from the house. A senior official confirmed the news. The five accused people have also been charged under the Indian Telegraph Act since they were using the telephones for their communications with other accomplices. Further investigations, in this case, have already started.

Plight of the series

Commenting on the ongoing ODI series between the two top sides, team India is currently leading the series 3-0. The unassailable lead has now put the hosts in a comfortable position from wherein they can experiment in the next couple of ODIs. On the other hand, the Australian team will now be playing for pride.

They need to get their combinations right for the final two ODIs. Australia have already been hit hard by an injury update wherein their left-arm spinner Ashton Agar had to head back to Australia following a fractured hand. The two teams will next meet in the fourth ODI at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on September 28. The ODI series will be followed by a three-match T20I series.