The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Monday suspended Rajasthan Royals co-owner Raj Kundra for his alleged involvement in gambling pending an inquiry into his role in the scandal, says a report in The Telegraph.
“Announcing this after the emergent working committee meeting, Jagmohan Dalmiya, who is effectively the BCCI’s interim chief, unveiled a 12-point ‘Operation Clean-Up’ to restore the credibility of the much maligned Indian Premier League. As a part of the clean-up operations, the veteran cricket administrator said a strict Code of Conduct would also be issued to players, support staff and franchise owners in the IPL,” says the report.
The captains of all the franchise teams would be called for a meeting and their suggestions would be sought to prepare an elaborate blueprint against spot-fixing and match-fixing.
Meanwhile The Hindu reports that ‘Operation Clean-Up’ seems to be the new mantra of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Its interim head, Jagmohan Dalmiya, has presented a 12-point plan to restore the game’s reputation following the recent spot-fixing scandal.
At a press briefing after a meeting of the working committee here on Monday, he said: “Raj Kundra [co-owner of Rajasthan Royals] has been suspended, pending inquiry, from all cricketing activities.”
Mr. Kundra is the second team official after son-in-law of N. Srinivasan and Chennai Super Kings Team Principal Gurunath Meiyappan to be suspended from the Indian Premier League (IPL).
According to a report in Deccan Chronicle, the Board confirmed that the panel comprising Justices T. Jayaram Chouta and R. Balasubramanian investigating Mr. Meiyappan and CSK, would also probe charges against Mr. Kundra and Rajasthan Royals.
The meeting’s focus was on saving the reputation of the IPL from plummeting further. Mr. Dalmiya spoke of “removal of sleaze, no cheerleaders and no after-match parties for the players” as effective measures. Players would be prohibited from accepting gifts, he said.
Other steps include a strict code of conduct for players, support staff and franchise owners, restriction of movement in dugouts and dressing rooms, and the requirement for all players and support staff to furnish their telephone numbers with the BCCI before the tournament.