Greed drives cricketers to spot-fix: Former Delhi Police chief

Uncertainty of getting picked in the team for the next match and getting a lesser number of overs to bowl are the reasons behind IPL players indulging in spot-fixing to earn a quick buck, said former Delhi Police chief K.K. Paul, who in 2000 busted the first match fixing racket in India involving late South African captain Hansie Cronje and others. Paul was then the joint commissioner (Crime).

According to Paul, the competition is severe in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and in many teams, there are talented players who are waiting for an opportunity to play. Hence, one poor outing could make the difference between playing and warming the bench.

'The stakes are too high in IPL and the greed to earn a quick buck as you have just four overs to bowl (when compared to One-day Internationals or Test matches) results in spot-fixing,' Paul told IANS.

'Such players who would like to earn as much as possible become vulnerable,' he added.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) immediately needed to strengthen its anti-corruption measures, he further said.

The former police chief congratulated the Delhi Police said that it had done a great job.

Indian pacer S. Sreesanth and two of his Rajasthan Royals teammates - Ankeet Chavan and Ajit Chandila - were arrested late Wednesday and accused of spot-fixing in IPL matches. The cricketers trio and 11 bookies have been charged with cheating and criminal conspiracy.

Paul was one of the longest serving Delhi Police commissioners. A 1970 batch-IPS officer , he served as the police chief between 2004 and 2007. He had held several key positions and had also served in the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) and Intelligence Bureau (IB).