The BCCI’s Anti-Corruption and Security Unit has placed all state-run T20 leagues under strict surveillance amid concerns over corruption-related activities. According to The Indian Express, the monitoring will cover players, organizers and team owners involved in these regional competitions across India.
Several state associations conduct these independent T20 competitions between June and August, before the main domestic cricket season begins across the country. Notably, the Board of Control for Cricket in India will host the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy every year.
BCCI ACSU Expands Anti-Corruption Monitoring Across State T20 Leagues
The BCCI’s Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) has expanded its monitoring to all T20 leagues run by state associations. The unit has detected more cases of bookies and suspicious individuals contacting players, team owners, and managers, which violates the code of conduct governing the game.
The report stated that the ACSU is also tracking whom players and team officials meet at their hotels during these tournaments. Earlier, the unit focused more closely on Test matches, the IPL, and other major fixtures. This is the first time it is monitoring all matches across state-run T20 leagues.
“Because of the level at which they operate, some of the owners, organisers and players are vulnerable and may fall for offers from bookies. Several of them are under ACSU’s watch for violations. Their activities are being closely monitored and whoever is found guilty shall not be spared,” sources said.
Tamil Nadu Player Barred After Mobile Phone Incident
Some teams in the Tamil Nadu Premier League came under the ACSU’s watch for suspected corruption-related activities from the previous season. It has led to stronger monitoring, with the 10th edition of the TNPL scheduled to continue until August 23 in Dindigul and Chennai.
A Tamil Nadu all-rounder who made his Ranji Trophy debut last season was recently barred from playing the remainder of the TNPL after breaching anti-corruption protocols. The ACSU recovered an undeclared mobile phone from him while he was inside the Player and Match Officials Area (PMOA).
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said the board acted immediately after learning about the incident. “It was a minor incident which the BCCI’s ACSU took immediate note of and punished the player involved. Our anti-corruption unit is very active and alert, and they don’t want to let even small things be overlooked when it comes to the integrity of the game,” Saikia said.
BCCI Guidelines and State Leagues Under ACSU Watch
TNCA president T J Srinivasaraj said that the association is working closely with the ACSU to follow all required protocols during the TNPL. He stated that regular communication between the two bodies remains important to protect the tournament from any activity that could affect its integrity.
“We are closely working with the ACSU team to ensure there is smooth coordination. There is a constant communication between the TNCA and ACSU to ensure the integrity of the game and the tournament isn’t compromised. That has always been our top priority,” Srinivasaraj said.
Associations from Mumbai, Saurashtra, Bengal, Andhra, Karnataka, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Punjab, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Assam and Jharkhand run their own competitions during the June-August window.
The BCCI introduced strict guidelines for state-run leagues in 2018. In 2019, the ACSU also investigated suspected contact between bookies and players or coaches in the TNPL, although the findings were never made public.
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