Pakistani Bowlers Did Ball Tempering In IPL, Says Ex-RCB Pacer Praveen Kumar

Praveen Kumar, ex-India cricketer and a master of swing bowling, recently opened up about his initial choice for the inaugural season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the subsequent intense reaction he faced from Lalit Modi due to his reluctance to join the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). During a chat show, Praveen disclosed his preference for joining the Delhi Daredevils, given its proximity to his hometown of Meerut. However, a misunderstanding occurred when he inadvertently signed a document from an RCB official, which turned out to be a contract.

When Praveen approached Lalit Modi to convey his preferred choice, the IPL commissioner reacted strongly, threatening severe repercussions for Praveen's career.

"I did not want to play for RCB because Bangalore was quite far away from my place, I didn't know English, and the food was not to my liking. Delhi is quite close to Meerut, which would have allowed me to travel to my home once in a while. However, there was a person who made me sign a paper. I did not know it was the contract. I told them I wanted to play for Delhi and not Bangalore. Lalit Modi called me and threatened to end my career," Praveen said in the interview with Lallantop.

Kumar also alleged that ball-tampering was a common practice in IPL, adding that Pakistani bowlers did it more frequently than others to move the ball in the reverse direction. For the unversed, reverse swing is a formidable weapon for pacers, and Pakistani bowlers are called masters of it.

"Everyone does a little bit; they (Pakistan bowlers) do it a bit more. That's what I've heard. Now, there are cameras everywhere. Earlier, everyone used to do it. And everyone knows as well. They would scratch it from one side. But you need to know how to use that skill, too. If I scratch the ball and give it to someone, one will need to have the skills to reverse-swing it. One has to learn that," Praveen said.