Any assumptions that the BCCI had about eradicating match fixing (or spot fixing) permanently were shattered when Delhi Police arrested three cricketers on Thursday.
As this incident comes to the fore, one thing is clear that mere banning the culprits doesn't work as a deterrent for the players who are ready to put their careers on line to earn that 'extra money' that is so easily available these days..
Former India cricketer Kirti Azad feels that the culprits should be sent to jail and the government need to take these matters into its hands.
"Action has to be taken by the government. BCCI can't take law in its own hands and put somebody into jail. FIR needs to be filed against these people and actions should be taken according to the law," Azad said.
"When five Indian players were caught in a sting operation by a new channel last year, the BCCI took it upon itself. That was wrong. They should have given those boys to police to investigate the matter because it wasn't only a matter of spot fixing but also a matter of money laundering when they talked about payment under the table.
"We could have gone by example of what happened two years ago when the same thing happened in london. The police took the cognizance of the matter, straightaway got that guy into the police station, lodged an FIR, filed charge sheet and took action against the Pakistani cricketers. The sent in a clear and direct message," he added.
But what makes these players getting into such murky dealingsIJ Madan lal, former India medium-pacer, says that it is nothing but greed.
"The only reason that I can think of is greed for money. They get such huge amounts of money for playing in the IPl, still they want more. It is sad," lal said.The incident proves that despite big claims by the BCCI, it has failed in its attempt to curb the menace of fixing. But lal said that the Indian cricket board
"The BCCI is doing what they can do. It is the player, not the BCCI, who gets involved. It is doing its best. It has appointed an anti-corruption unit to handle such things but you can't stop these things," he said.
Azad believes there is a need to look at the fixing from a broader perspective. According to him it is a part of money laundering and it has international ramifications because nobody knows where this money is coming from and where does it go.
"I think it has got international ramifications. You don't know where the money is coming from. Is it drugs money, arms money, mafia money or money launderingIJ How is this money coming inIJ," Azad said.
"Anybody who is running a business or doing something else may put Rs 5 lakh or 10 lakh but when you talk about millions and billions that obviously mean it is not the right money," he added.
Azad feels that these bookies get patronage from powerful people in the cricket fraternity and political circles. "…many of these (bookies) are directly involved with these (state) associations. We keep reading in the newspapers that they hold some post or the other in the various associations of the board. Hence, it's a matter that needs to be looked into," he said.
"I have a feeling that there is a lot of political patronage. That's why you only find the names of cricketers but what about those bookies. We don't hear about them and nothing happens to them."