Mohammed Siraj reported corrupt approach to BCCI ACU before Australia series

New Delhi, Apr 19: India cricketer Mohammed Siraj - who is playing for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the ongoing IPL 2023 - reported a 'corrupt approach' to BCCI's Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU).

The right-arm pacer informed the ACU about an unknown person who wanted "inside news" about his team before Australia arrived in the country for a full-fledged tour in February this year.

As per reports, the gambler - who isn't any bookie - had lost a lot of money during India's international series at home and messaged Siraj out of sheer frustration.

India had played white-ball home series against New Zealand and Sri Lanka in January-February before Australia arrived. India won the T20 series against Sri Lanka 2-1 before blanking them 3-0 in the ODI series.

Against New Zealand, India won the ODI series 3-0 before triumphing in the T20 series with a 2-1 margin, with the Black Caps winning the lone game of the tour in Ranchi.

"It wasn't a bookie who approached Siraj. He is a driver from Hyderabad who is addicted to betting on India matches. He had approached Siraj via WhatsApp after losing a lot of money on India games," a senior BCCI source privy to the developments told PTI on condition of anonymity.

"Siraj reported the approach immediately. The law enforcement (Andhra Police) authorities had nabbed the person," the source added.

The BCCI had increased its ACU network ever since the spot-fixing scandal hit the IPL in 2013. The scandal involved S Sreesanth, Ankeet Chavan, Ajit Chandila and then Chennai Super Kings (CSK) team principal Gurunath Meiyappan, who was also found guilty as he was passing the team's information."

Now, each IPL team has a dedicated ACU official who stays in the same hotel and monitors all the movements on the ground. Also, there is a mandatory ACU workshop for players on the dos and don'ts, and if any player fails to report a corrupt approach, there are sanctions in place.

Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan was suspended in 2021 for not reporting a corrupt approach during his IPL stint in the previous season. RCB are currently placed eighth with four points after two wins and three defeats.