Venkat Sundaram Feels Low-Paid Pitch Curators Could Fall Prey to Bookmakers

Oct 25, 2017 at 7:59 PM

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Venkat Sundaram Feels Low-Paid Pitch Curators Could Fall Prey to Bookmakers

Former Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) chief for the pitch committee Venkat Sundaram revealed the underpaid curators for distinct venues are of the risk to be approached by the international syndicate, who are there to corrupt the gentleman’s game.

Sundaram further remarked the players were also involved in the fixing scandals while adding the match officials are being paid more which would further have an upshot on the groundsmen.

“Not only the chief curator is underpaid, some of the other groundsmen make just about Rs 10,000 to 15,000 per month. But it is still no justification for you to be corrupt and venture into pitch tampering,” Sundaram was quoted as saying by newswire PTI.

Venkat Sundaraman, Pitch Information, Bookmakers, Underpaid Curators, Pune, Pandurang Salgaoncar, MCA, India Vs New Zealand
Before the start of the play, the threat was looming large over the match after Operation Cricket Gate from India Today. Photo Credit: BCCI.

According to the newswire, Press Trust of India, the BCCI pays at least five zonal-bound curators the some of INR 50,000 for a month which further see match referees and umpires draw out INR 20,000 per match.

“Players and officials have been involved in corruption in the past so the next soft target was very much likely to be the curators, who in my opinion are hugely underpaid compared to match officials and players,” Sundaram stated.

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However, the latest controversy didn’t take Sundaram by surprise, as he feels the lucrative offers could throw cold water on low-waged curators, as he further backs the sacked Salgaoncar, who was replaced by Ramesh Mhamunkar, as the latter is further serving as one of the members of Boards grounds.

“I feel sorry for him. He also did well as a curator,” Sundaram maintained.

Venkat Sundaraman, Pitch Information, Bookmakers, Underpaid Curators, Pune, Pandurang Salgaoncar, MCA, India Vs New Zealand
Preliminary charges would take place against Salgaoncar. Photo Credit: AFP.

As the national Board has a zero tolerance for any fixing on Tuesday (October 25) saw the controversy had grabbed the eyeballs after Pune pitch curator Pandurang Salgaoncar revealed the inside information to the India Today reporters who posed as bookies.

Moreover, Sundaram remarked the 68-year-old Malvan-based Salgaoncar hails from a low-income family.

While representing Maharashtra side in the first-class cricket which subsequently saw him claiming 214 wickets in 63 first class fixtures.

“He was India’s fastest bowler back then and came from a poor background,” Sundaram added.

Venkat Sundaraman, Pitch Information, Bookmakers, Underpaid Curators, Pune, Pandurang Salgaoncar, MCA, India Vs New Zealand
Pune was earlier rated as poor by Chris Broad soon after Australia clinched the Test by 333 runs earlier this year. Photo Credit: Getty Images.

Sundaram believes Salgaoncar failed to make it to the national fold after not able to correspond with a quality club back then.

If he had played for bigger centres like Bombay, he would have ended up playing for India,” Sundaram further added.

Venkat Sundaraman, Pitch Information, Bookmakers, Underpaid Curators, Pune, Pandurang Salgaoncar, MCA, India Vs New Zealand
BCCI has also made it clear by stating the strict action will be taken. Photo Credit: Getty Images.

Interestingly, both former first-class faced against each other way back in between 1970 and 1980 respectively, as Sundaram feels more are vulnerable which could further be a grave matter of concern for the country’s board of itself.

While challenging the law and rules set by the world cricket governing body ICC and hosting board in the form of BCCI, Salgoancar even allowed the undercover reporters to examine the pitch in person which further saw him agreeing over altering the condition of a pitch in no time.

After featuring for Tamil Nadu and Delhi across 81 four-day fixtures, Sundaram also served as a pitch curator for Delhi District Cricket Association (DDCA).

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