BCCI suspends Pune curator Salgaonkar after sting operation

Pune: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Wednesday suspended Pune pitch curator Pandurang Salgaonkar after he agreed to tamper the pitch as demanded by the journalists who pretended to be bookies.

He was exposed in a sting operation conducted by India Today TV ahead of the second ODI between India and New Zealand.

Hours before the match at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, the curator is seen and heard on camera agreeing to the demands. "It will be done," Salgaonkar is quoted as saying by the news channel.

"It is a very good pitch on which 337 runs will be chaseable. There is no doubt about it," he added.

"I told you this will be a 340-run wicket either way."

Salgaoncar and others are also seen walking on the pitch. "It's not allowed still we did it. The BCCI observer is also sitting around," Salgaonkar said.

"No stranger can access the pitch. That is the BCCI and ICC's law.

"If the BCCI and ICC ask me tomorrow I will say no one came, I don't know," he added.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has promised swift action on the issue.

"We will take the strictest action. I am not yet aware of the full thing," BCCI Acting Secretary Amitabh Chaudhary said.

Also Read: Ind vs NZ 2nd ODI | Corruption allegations against Curator Salgaonkar

"It a very serious matter. Whoever is responsible will be dealt with properly, there is no doubt about that. There is zero tolerance for such things.

"I have also talked to the Maharashtra Cricket Associated chief on this," he added.

"This is more shocking as Pandurang Salgaonkar himself was a first class cricketer."

The Supreme Court appointed Committee of Administrators (CoA) has also taken a dim view of the matter.

"The CoA doesn't approve of such things. We will take the strictest action," CoA chief Vinod Rai said.

Pandurang Salgaonkar represented Maharashtra as a fast bowler from 1971-82. He has also served as chief selector of the Maharashtra Ranji Trophy team.