New controversy hits Indian cricket ahead of clash with New Zealand

It seems like Indian cricket has ran into another controversy ahead of crucial clash against New Zealand today (Wednesday) as Pune's Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium's pitch curator was seen giving inside information to reporters disguised as bookies.

In a sting operation done by India Today, Pandurang Salgaoncar, the pitch curator, was seen giving inside information to disguised bookies. The operation was conducted just hours before the second ODI between India and New Zealand.

Salgaonkar can be seen on camera talking, during which he revealed that the pitch will be a high scoring one and that even a score in excess of 337 runs could be chasable, the newspaper revealed.

However, according to ICC rules, no one — other than the officials — can come inside the stadium or inspect the pitch for that matter. The curator can be seen in the sting operation footage, allowing the reporters to look at the pitch ahead of the international match.

When asked by the disguised bookies on whether unauthorised persons can reach the playing surface, Salgaoncar can be heard saying that such a thing is not allowed by the BCCI or the ICC.

"The matter has come to our notice and we are looking into the details. Too early to announce quantum of punishment but BCCI has a zero tolerance policy towards corruption and fixing and strong action will be taken if found guilty," BCCI acting President CK Khanna told Cricketnext.

The last time India played at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune, the ICC labeled the pitch 'poor', as the first match of the three-Test series between India and Australia had ended in the post-tea session on the third day.