Government, public opinion veering against cricketers

The Indian cricketers have already started feeling the heat generated by their alleged involvement in the match fixing scandal. Only the temperature is getting hotter with each passing day. There is a distinct change in the mood of the public which generally had installed them as their idols for so many years. That their attitude towards the cricketers has hardened is best exemplified by a poll in a leading Indian newspaper. To a question, ``Do you agree with the IT raids carried out on the premises of Indian cricketers,'' a whopping 90 percent said they agreed and only eight percent said they disagreed. There is no need to ask the public whether they would agree with the raids on the houses and offices of the administrators. Officials have never really enjoyed a positive image in this country. But cricketers in India have always enjoyed the same exalted status as the most popular film stars in the popularity stakes. Given this background, the results of the poll make for startling reading.

But problems or misfortunes, it is said, never come alone. With the CBI inquiry already one, the IT raids added a whole new dimension to the match fixing drama. And as if scorn from the public wasn't enough, there were clear indications that opinion was veering against them from another very important and influential wing - government. In a move that may have large scale repercussions, the Gujarat State government decided to remove a chapter on former Indian captain and current coach Kapil Dev from the Class X curriculum following allegations against him in the match fixing scandal. The State Education Minister Anandiben Patel said the government had decided to delete the chapter on Kapil Dev following the recent raids by the IT officials on his office and residential premises. ``The issue had been under the consideration of the State Government ever since the match fixing controversy broke out and now after the IT raids, I felt it was time to take a decision on the matter,'' she said. The chapter, entitled `The World of Kapil Dev' is included as a supplementary reading in the textbook published by the State Text Book Board and gives an account of Kapil Dev's childhood days in Chandigarh.

In the meantime, former Indian captain Md Azharuddin has got in touch with the IT authorities from London and expressed his desire to return and file a statement before them. According to IT sources, Azharuddin had telephoned department officials after the raids on his official and residential premises on July 20. "Azhar has expressed desire to come and make all things clear and we are waiting for him", the sources said.

According to law, his preliminary statement is necessary to proceed further in the case, the sources said adding such statements from Ajay Jadeja and Nikhil Chopra would be taken at a later stage as their addresses were not available yet.

The three cricketers had been out of the country when IT officials carried out the raids on the residential and official premises of the players, officials and bookies for two days. Azhar, Chopra and Jadeja are at present in London to play a benefit match on July 29.

In London, Azharuddin told The Sunday Times: "I have deposed to the authorities in India and have been told I can?t talk about what has happened. There are investigations going on. I would like to talk but am prevented from doing so." He is expected back in India only after playing the match.

Meanwhile, not surprisingly, the United Cricket Board of South Africa and the King Commission of inquiry, looking into charges of match-fixing in South African cricket, have both refused to comment on the raids conducted in India on the homes of leading cricket figures.

"It would be inappropriate to comment on any match-fixing activities or actions anywhere while the King commission is still to release its findings," UCBSA spokesperson Bronwyn Wilkinson said. And King Commission spokesman John Bacon said the raids were outside the jurisdiction of the commission and would therefore not comment on it.

And in his first newspaper interview since the scandal broke out in April, Hansie Cronje said he was tempted to commit suicide after his involvement in the betting scandal was revealed, according to media reports from London. Cronje told the Sunday Telegrpah: ``Yes, there were dark moments when I wondered whether it was still worth living. I would think, Hansie you have fallen so far anyway. A few more feet won't matter. But I have caused so much pain to my family already I could not put them through more. Not that'' he is quoted as saying. ``There is no one to blame for the position I am in but myself. Whatever happens, whatever it takes, I am going to see this through to the better end,'' he says. The former South African captain says he is not asking anyone to feel sorry for him. ``This tragedy is entirely of my own making. It would be easier to list those people I have not let down rather than those that I have. After crossing out my wife, my dad, my family, my team, my sport and my country, there is not much left,'' he said.