TheSportsCampus

The demon of spot fixing reared its ugly head to rock the cricketing fraternity during the recently concluded fifth season of the lucrative Indian Premier League. The spot fixing allegations coupled with the 'under the table black money business' brought to light by an India TV sting operation around mid-May prompted the BCCI to carry out an independent investigation. The BCCI Disciplinary committee headed by its president, Mr.N Srinivasan, cracked the whip on the five tainted cricketers and imposed severe punishments upon them for bringing the game into disrepute and destroying the spirit of cricket. The committee banned the uncapped players for varying degrees after thoroughly studying the report of the Board's Anti corruption unit chief, Mr. Ravi Sawani, who completed the probe a few weeks back.

The harshest punishment was meted out to Madhya Pradesh and Deccan Chargers fast bowler, TP Sundhindra, who was handed a life ban. "The committee held Sudhindra guilty of actually receiving a consideration to spot fix in a domestic cricket match and hence imposed the maximum penalty on him. Sundhindra has been barred for life, from playing any cricket matches conducted or authorized by the ICC or BCCI or any 'affiliated unit of the BCCI' the board said in a statement.

Whilst the 28 year old Sudhindra's career seems all but over, Uttar Pradesh speedster, Shalabh Srivastava was slapped with a 5 year ban. Madhya Pradesh batsman Monish Mishra, Goa spinner Amit Yadav and Himachal Pradesh all-rounder Abhinav Bali, charged with 'loose talk and unsubstantiated bragging' were banned for a year each.

The committe that met in Mumbai on Saturday further informed that neither Sundhindra nor Mishra would be entitled to any monthly gratis, benevolent fund, benefit match or any other facility.

The penalties will be effective from the date of suspension of players - 15 May 2012

Any illegal activity in sports is disastrous, let alone players accepting money to under perform. At the time when the ICC is looking to widen the reach of cricket across the globe, the poisoned chalice of match-fixing is the last thing they want. Undeniably, the BCCI did the right thing by maintaining a zero tolerance towards corruption to cleanse the gentleman's game of its impurities.