BCCI to investigate charges raised by sting operation

The BCCI has said it will investigate allegations of corrupt practices, aired on an Indian TV channel, against some uncapped Indian players currently participating in the IPL. The allegations, which mainly allude to spot-fixing, are based on a sting operation carried out by the channel, India TV.

In its statement, the board said it would seek the complete footage of the sting operation and "take appropriate action" after the IPL governing council - which has been called to an "emergent" meeting - has examined it.

The channel showed footage of a player bowling a big no-ball in a limited-overs match and played a recording of a phone conversation that it said was of a current IPL player negotiating a fee for bowling a no-ball.

It also had at least three players on camera allegedly seeking more lucrative deals - including extra money that would have violated their IPL contracts - with other league franchises through an undercover reporter posing as a sports agent.

"If there is any truth in it... it is a fact that we will take strictest action," BCCI president N Srinivasan was quoted as saying by PTI. "Even if it means suspending the player immediately. But (that has to be) based on some evidence and fact, for which I have asked the [IPL COO] Sundar Raman to request the tape."

Srinivasan said he believed "the IPL is clean" but that action would be taken should evidence emerge. "We have got the Anti-Corruption Unit covering it. They are in charge of the security."

The BCCI had on Saturday announced its plans to set up its own anti-corruption unit.