KPL 2019: Bookie who was arrested for offering Rs. 2 lakh to bowler was drummer

It had come in news recently that many players featuring in the Karnataka Premier League(KPL) had been approached unexpectedly by bookies to fix games. They had to be credited for informing the BCCI about these developments. It’s always good to be honest and open about this as the player’s future can be in jeopardy if he’s caught fixing games for money. Central Crime Branch(CCB) arrested a bookie on Wednesday as he was trying to fix a game in the KPL 2019 organized by the Karnataka Cricket Association.

The accused, Bhavesh Bafna, a professional drummer, was arrested after cricketer and Ballari Tuskers player Bhavesh Gulecha filed a complaint at the JP Nagar police station, accusing Bafna and another person of offering him money to fix the match. Gulecha informed the police that Bafna was his childhood friend from Rajasthan whom he met at a cafe in JP Nagar in July. During their casual interaction, Bafna allegedly asked Gulecha, a fast bowler, to concede ten or more runs in an over.

The Bellary Tuskers fast bowler claims that he refused to throw the game and fall for Bafna’s tricks. He said that Bafna contacted him again after he returned from the K. Thimmappiah Memorial Tournament in Mysuru, according to information provided to the police. He didn’t let go of the KPL player too easily, as he introduced him to one of his associates Sanyam claiming that he would help Gulecha to secure a contract in the IPL. Sanyam apparently offered a sum of 2 lac rupees as the bait to give away ten or more runs in an over. A bait for which the fast bowler didn’t fall prey to.

Gulecha refused the offer from the drummer

“I refused the offer. We played well in KPL matches. I was confused about informing the KSCA about the development. Bhavesh Bafna and Sanyam conspired against me,” Gulecha said in his complaint to the police as quoted by The Hindu. “We have arrested Bafna, and the search is on for the other accused, Sanyam,” said Sandeep Patil Joint Commissioner (Crime). Last month, the CCB had arrested Ali Asfak Thara, the owner of Belagavi Panthers, in connection with an international betting racket. They were probing allegations of match-fixing.

It is indeed worrying that many instances of match-fixing has returned to haunt this beautiful game. But what is very heartening to see post the spot-fixing scandal that shook the IPL and world cricket in general, cricketers are very aware and receptive to provide all assistance to the concerned officials when it comes to such matters. More players like Bhavesh Gulecha are required to ensure this issue gets completely rutted out of the system.

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