Former RCB and Mumbai Indians’ players CM Gautam and Abrar Kazi arrested for spot-fixing in KPL 2019

CM Gautam and Abrar Kazi arrested for spot-fixing: The two cricketers from Bellary Tuskers have come under the scanner.

Bellary Tuskers captain CM Gautam and spinner Abrar Kazi have been arrested on charges of spot-fixing in the Karnataka Premier League concluded in August this year.

It is alleged that Gautam and Kazi accepted INR 20 lakh for “slow batting” in the final of the tournament against Hubli Tigers in Mysore. Gautam, who opened the innings in a 153-run chase in the final, scored 29 (37) with the help of two fours before getting out stump in the 15th over off spinner Shreyas Gopal.

Kazi, who came in to bat at No. 9 in the penultimate over, scored 13 (6) when his team required 26 runs in 10 balls upon his arrival.

It is also reported that both the cricketers had also been involved in fixing in another match during the same tournament – against Bengaluru Blasters.

CM Gautam and Abrar Kazi arrested for spot-fixing

In a text message sent to ESPNcricinfo by Joint Commissioner of Police Sandeep Patil, he revealed the details of the arrest of the two cricketers.

“The CCB has made two important arrests in the KPL spot-fixing scandal. Bellary team captain CM Gautam and Abrar Kazi were arrested. They did spot-fixing in KPL 2019 finals between Hubli and Bellary. They were paid Rs 20 lakhs for slow batting. Also, they fixed another match against the Bangalore team. Further investigations are on and more arrests will be made,” the message read.

players, coaches, team owners, drummers…a lot of different hands are being caught in the KPL cookie jar

— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) November 7, 2019

At the time of writing this article, seven people including four players have been arrested in the Karnataka Premier League spot-fixing case. If Karnataka Police’s Central Crime Branch (CCB) is to be believed, more arrests are on the way.

Apart from playing for RCB, Delhi Daredevils and Mumbai Indians in the IPL, Gautam has been a known face in Karnataka. Before moving to Goa this year, the 33-year old wicket-keeper batsman has played 94 First-class matches for his home state.

On the other hand, Kazi had made his T20 debut for Royal Challengers Bangalore against Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2011. In what remains his only IPL match, the 30-year old cricketer has 17 First-class matches, 35 List A matches and eight T20s for Karnataka, Nagaland and Mizoram.

About the author

Dixit Bhargav

Born and brought up in Pathankot, Dixit Bhargav is an engineering and sports management graduate who works as a Cricket Editor at The SportsRush. Having written more than 10,000 articles across more than five years at TSR, his first cricketing memory dates back to 2002 when former India captain Sourav Ganguly had waved his jersey at the historic Lord’s balcony. What followed for an 8-year-old was an instant adulation for both Ganguly and the sport. The optimist in him is waiting for the day when Punjab Kings will win their maiden Indian Premier League title. When not watching cricket, he is mostly found in a cinema hall watching a Punjabi movie.

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