IPL spot fixing: How the bookies and players sealed the deal

New Delhi, May 17: Delhi Police Commissioner Neeraj Kumar on Friday gave the details of conversations between bookies and the three players of Rajasthan Royals who were arrested on Thursday on charges of spot-fixing in some of their team's matches in the ongoing Indian Premier League.
Here are some excerpts (translated from Hindi):

First conversation:

Ajit Chandila: Yes, tell me brother.
Bookie: Bowl the first over confidently and also bowl the second over in the same way.
Chandila: Okay, okay. I will do.
Bookie: What will be your signal?
Chandila: I will pick-up my T-shirt twice and then look up at the sky before starting to bowl.

This conversation was said to have happened before the May 5 match between Rajasthan Royals and Pune Warriors in Jaipur. Police said the bowler had to concede 14 runs in the over for which he had to give signals before going to the run-up. However, Chandila reportedly forgot to give the signals and hence the bookies could not bet in this match. A lot of arguments followed over this. The deal was reportedly fixed over Rs 40 lakh.

Second conversation:

First Bookie: Give me a signal. What will b e the signal?
Second Bookie: I have told them and he will not do anything unusual to give signal.
First Bookie: Please tell him. We want some time to start the booking before the over begins.
Second Bookie: Okay.

This conversation took place before the Rajasthan Royals and Kings XI Punjab in Mohali on May 9, police sources said.

Fast bowler Sreesanth had a conversation with a bookie during this match. The former reportedly told the bookies that he would place a towel in his trouser pocket before bowling the second over, giving the bookie enough time for betting. It was seen later that Sreesanth bowled his second over with a towel placed in his trouser, which was not the case when he bowled his first over. He conceded 13 runs in the over. The deal was fixed for Rs 60 lakh.

The third conversation was between Chandila and Ankeet Chavan.

Chavan: I am outside.
Chandila: Should I say yes?
Chavan: Yes, but how much?
Chandila: They are saying 12.
Chavan: No this much is not possible.
Chandila: I have assured them. Should I say yes?
Chavan: Okay then.
Chandila: I have told them Rs 60.
Chavan: Okay. I will move my wrist-band as a signal.

This conversation happened before the May 15 match between Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals in Mumbai. Chandila didn't play in this match and was reportedly acting as a link between the bookies. Chavan was to take Rs 60 lakh for one over and perform according to the bookies' order. He was asked to concede at least 13 runs in the second over, police said.

OneIndia News

(With IANS inputs)