24 October, 2000

Good day all, on Tuesday...

Till a week ago, I was feeling pretty blase about the impending release of the CBI report. A feeling prompted by the fact that I knew pretty much what they were going to say.

Mohammad Azharuddin is for the high jump. No surprise -- for some time now, the Indian government (not just the sports ministry, mind) has been of a mood to mete out exemplary punishment to the former captain. Not only for his unaccounted earnings, and his dealings with bookies, but mainly because of his nexus with Dawood Ibrahim, as confirmed by his telephone records. That one act, the government feels, has put him beyond the pale.

The likes of Ajay Jadeja, Ajay Sharma, Ali Irani and others were always going to get it in the neck too -- and by way of pleasant surprise, came the news that Manoj Prabhakar too has been nailed. Pleasant, because it at least indicates that the CBI had its eyes open, and wasn't merely targetting the known names.

But increasingly, what is intriguing is word that a few international players are likely to figure in the report. From various points of the compass come rumours -- Lara is involved, three Australian players are to be named, a couple of English players are going to be named....

All of which builds a certain sense of anticipation.

What I am waiting to see is this -- what will the ICC do if and when some foreigners are named? There is, supposedly, a body constituted to police the game. And a former policeman, Paul Congdon, to spearhead the investigations.

So will it investigate? Will the respective boards -- Australia, West Indies and, if what I hear is right, England, co-operate?

I have my doubts.

How about you?

Have a good day, meanwhile.

Prem

Mail Cricket Editor