The N K P Salve Chat
In the wake of the match-fixing episode, former Board of Control for Cricket in India president N K P Salve spared some of his precious time to appear on The Rediff Chat and discuss the issue. The former Union minister believes that match-fixing does go on, otherwise, he asks, how can one explain "the tame surrender of our players in crucial matches." Thus, Salve felt players must now be paid on performance. He said players found guilty of match-fixing must not only be banned from the game but also be debarred from getting any financial benefit that is due to them.
Mr N K P Salve (Mon Apr 10 19100 7:3 IST)
Hello friends. I am here and will be glad to take in your questions. You can shoot.
Aryan (Mon Apr 10 19100 6:54 IST)
All of us betting guys know that Azzar is a fixer, yet no action is taken against him. Why? Is the board also involveD?
Mr N K P Salve (Mon Apr 10 19100 7:6 IST)
Aryan - If there is any proof which will stand the scrutiny of the court of law that Azharuddin is a fixer, certainly action would be taken. So far, there have only been allegations and allegations without anyone coming forward with any evidence of misconduct of Azharuddin. No action can be taken on mere allegations or on the knowledge of the people without any proof.
Puri (Mon Apr 10 19100 6:37 IST)
Do you forsee any qucik solutions to this problem? Why can't the cricketing associations have something like the IRS department who are incharge of regulating the regulators?
Mr N K P Salve (Mon Apr 10 19100 7:9 IST)
Puri - For any crime or misconduct, there cannot be any miraculous remedy. Only strong deterrents can be provided so that either the administrators or the players are scared to indulge in any malpractice that defiles the purity of the game.
Yari (Mon Apr 10 19100 6:48 IST)
Mr Salve in your experience have you ever been aware of Indian players not performing in a game which seems extremely surprising?
Mr N K P Salve (Mon Apr 10 19100 7:13 IST)
Yari - I agree. I am also surprised. Sometimes at the tame surrender of our players in crucial matches. This, however, may lead to creating suspicion but suspicion is not enough to take action. I personally think that the huge payments which are being made to players these days, about Rs 40 lakhs a year, should be related to their performance. f you don't do well without any reason, the payment for the particular game should not be hundred percent.
Parul (Mon Apr 10 19100 7:11 IST)
But tel me sir cricket players earn so much via means of match fees and edorsements, so how can they throw away the pride of their country? Warne says he mentioned the weather...prabhakars allegations...there must be a biger lie that's being hidden from the public?
Mr N K P Salve (Mon Apr 10 19100 7:17 IST)
Parul - I have no doubt that the large financial stakes in cricket today is directly linked to the purity of the game. And should anyone be found cheating, he not only damages himself but he will damage the game of cricket irreparably. Millions of people watch the show with great interest. It does not matter who wins or who loses. But if the whole game is fixed and the spectators are cheated, I am afraid the entire patronage will collapse like a pack of cards.
Mehmood (Mon Apr 10 19100 7:12 IST)
After the Cronje allegations India's victory against South Africa has lost all its steam...whats the morale in the team?
Mr N K P Salve (Mon Apr 10 19100 7:19 IST)
Mehmood - Please do not reach any final conclusions as yet. There is no reason for Indian team to be demoralised so long as they were not a party to match-fixing.
Natya (Mon Apr 10 19100 7:9 IST)
Would you agree with the statement that there are Indian and International players involved in matchfixing?
Mr N K P Salve (Mon Apr 10 19100 7:21 IST)
Natya - I am afraid the statement is too general and vague. It is one thing to have suspicion and another thing to be sure on the basis of some concrete evidence.
Client (Mon Apr 10 19100 7:7 IST)
Do you have any doubts of Azzar's conduct which may lead you to believe that he is involved?
Mr N K P Salve (Mon Apr 10 19100 7:24 IST)
Client - I consider Azhar from personal knowledge a great gentleman. In becoming a party to match-fixing and to throw his wicket it would be foolish of him to barter gold from dross. Azhar is one of the finest batsman India has produced.
Aryan (Mon Apr 10 19100 7:4 IST)
Mr Salve d you think the police should not have made their investigations public at such an early stage?
Mr N K P Salve (Mon Apr 10 19100 7:27 IST)
Aryan - It is for the police to decide which is the proper time to go public on such matters. I only hope disclosure of the matter at this stage will not prejudice future investigations.
Keshav (Mon Apr 10 19100 7:25 IST)
What is your opinion of Cronje?
He has been quoted by his own people as 'greedy'. Do you think he is guilty?
Mr N K P Salve (Mon Apr 10 19100 7:32 IST)
Keshav - Hansie Cronje is a very respected and esteemed player and captain of a highly-successful team. It will be extremely unfair to reach any conclusion firstly without full investigations and secondly without knowing his version of the matter. His defence will be as important as the charges and then only can we decide whether Cronje is guilty or not.It is most unjust and unfair to condemn anyone without understanding and knowing all the facts finally and conclusively.
Namrata (Mon Apr 10 19100 7:24 IST)
Why were such allegations not traded back and forth in the time on Gawaskar and Kapil? Didnt betting exist then?
Mr N K P Salve (Mon Apr 10 19100 7:36 IST)
Namrata - Your question is not very easy. But from my experience, I consider the money involved in the game in days of kapil and gavaskar in terms of quantum was not so large and also the fact that the team in those says played with spirit of patriotism. We won the World cup in 1983 and I know on the eve of the final players were so nervous I happened to be the president of the board present in london and gave a pep-talk to the team members. I only said from lowest rung of the ladder you have come to the top and you have brought glory to the country. Just desperately try to win the match tomorrow and the nation will worship you for that. We won the final agaisnt the mighty West Indies.
bandar (Mon Apr 10 19100 7:35 IST)
Good evening, Salve saheb. Everyone is a gentleman. Probably even Dawood Ibrahim is a gentleman in his dealings with powerful people. Does that mean he's not a crook?
Mr N K P Salve (Mon Apr 10 19100 7:38 IST)
Bandar - I am glad you consider everyone a gentleman. That must take you also. But if you are guilty of misconduct and it is proved, then you become a criminal. if Mr Dawood Ibrahim meets the test, he could have been a a gentleman.
ram (Mon Apr 10 19100 7:39 IST)
tell us something in brief about what you know about the betting mafia in cricket.
Mr N K P Salve (Mon Apr 10 19100 7:40 IST)
Ram - I did not ever believe that in this game of gentlemen match-fixing could ever be a reality. However, with the prima facie evidence which police has disclosed, my faith in purity of the game is not as strong as it was. Let us watch for the investigations and the proceedings of this case and at the conclusion i may be able to answer your question with conviction.
ram (Mon Apr 10 19100 7:42 IST)
You have voiced your opinion about Azhar.but then what do you think of Prabhakar?
Mr N K P Salve (Mon Apr 10 19100 7:47 IST)
Ram - I consider Prabhakar was a great lion-hearted cricketer and the treatment meted out to him is very unfortunate. However, I have very carefully read the finduings of the ex-chief justice of India Y. V. Chandrachud who was unable to find any merits after examining Prabhakar and other witnesses including some legendary cricketers and eminent scribes on cricket. This has adversely affected the credibility of Prabhakar and his allegations were considered manifestation of his frustration.
ram (Mon Apr 10 19100 7:36 IST)
Do you think there is apossibility of the betting mafia's influence at higher levels of cricket bodies?
Mr N K P Salve (Mon Apr 10 19100 7:49 IST)
Ram - I just have heard about it but know nothing which I can believe and voice before you.
Poliya (Mon Apr 10 19100 7:39 IST)
Mr Salve, do you agree that there's something fishy going on in the world of cricket? Or do you think there's a doubt about this basic premise?
Mr N K P Salve (Mon Apr 10 19100 7:52 IST)
Poliya - The complaint of the police involving Hansie cronje and three or four of his team-mates has completely shattered my faith in the purity of the game. However, before I reach any conclusion, I must maintain my equanimity and composure while seeking to know the truth about the whole matter and should the allegations found to be justified, drastic measures will have to be taken. That is the best I can answer at this stage.
ram (Mon Apr 10 19100 7:45 IST)
one of the visitors on this chat says courts have inherent powers.does that mean it can deal with these matters?
Mr N K P Salve (Mon Apr 10 19100 7:54 IST)
Ram - On police complaint the court is bound to take cognisance of the complaint filed.
Mr N K P Salve (Mon Apr 10 19100 8:2 IST)
This answer is addressed to all the queries. I happen to be a member of ICC's code of conduct commission which is to inquire into various acts of misconduct. Inter alia that takes in misconduct on account of " any money received, benefit or other reward ( whether financial or otherwise ) which could bring him or the game of cricket into disrepute. " Another misconduct is if a player or an administrator of cricket " was a party to contriving or attempting to contrive the result of any match or the occurrence of any event " and my personal view in the matter is if the allegations against South african captain and his team-mates are proved to be true and correct, in my personal oipinion that they should not only be banished from cricket but they be debarred from getting balance of their benefit funds or any other financial benefit. this would be over and above the punishment meted out by the court. However, until they are found to be guilty, they must be considered wholly innocent and in the meanwhile must not be subjected to any humuliation or disrespect merely on the basis of allegations. Thankyou and good bye.
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