Neeraj Kumar sacked as BCCI’s Anti-Corruption Unit chief

The chief of BCCI’s Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) Neeraj Kumar was sacked by the Supreme Court appointed Committee of Administrators (CoA) on Friday. He will no longer work as the chief of the unit after December 31, 2017. The ousting follows the Pune pitch controversy in which the curator was found giving the information about the wicket to the undercover reporter ahead of the second ODI between India and New Zealand.

However, it was also reported that the Kumar was helpless as his requirements regarding the need to upgrade the system was ignored by the Indian board. Pandurang Salgaoncar, the curator of the MCA Stadium in Pune was caught red-handed in the sting operation conducted by India Today which went viral on the day of the 2nd ODI.

He was soon suspended by the BCCI and they made sure that the match wasn’t called off. International Cricket Council (ICC) is also investigating the matter now but the loopholes in the system have raised many eyebrows. Ramesh Mhamunkar, who was the BCCI appointed observer for the game is also likely to be questioned now as he didn’t raise an objection when the reporter was entering the ground.

Increased security in Kanpur

The third and final ODI of the series is set to be played in Kanpur and Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) is leaving no stone unturned in its preparations for the game. The security near the pitch has been increased and it has been strictly ordered that no outsider should be allowed to approach the wicket.

“There was never any such instructions before in my long association with the Green Park,” the Kanpur security guard was quoted as saying by DNA.

He also laughed off the incident from Pune where the curator leaked information about the projected score on the pitch. “Every groundsman who is involved on daily basis with pitch preparation can predict how many runs are going to be scored. What is the big deal? Any hostel boy (pointing at sports hostel nearby) can tell you about the score in the next game,” he stated.