India-Australia Match Fixing: What's The Truth?

is india australia match fixed

In recent years, there have been allegations of match-fixing in cricket matches between India and Australia. In 2018, three of India's Test matches, including the India vs. Australia Test played in Ranchi from March 16-20, 2017, were suspected of spot-fixing. While no Indian cricketers were named, an Indian national allegedly named two Australian players involved in fixing to Al Jazeera's undercover reporter. However, Cricket Australia and the ICC refuted these claims, stating they had found no credible evidence and would take a zero-tolerance approach to match-fixing. Despite this, the topic of match-fixing resurfaced after India's loss to Australia in the 2023 Cricket World Cup final, with online discussions and viral posts alluding to the possibility of match-fixing.

Characteristics Values
Date of match 19 November 2023
Teams India vs Australia
Match type Final of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup
Match-fixing claims Made by Anupam Mittal
Evidence None mentioned
Investigation None confirmed

shunculture

India-Australia match-fixing allegations in 2018

In May 2018, Al Jazeera's documentary 'Cricket's Match-Fixers' accused Australian cricketer Glenn Maxwell of match-fixing during the third Test match between India and Australia in Ranchi, a game in which Maxwell scored his maiden test century. The documentary also alleged that two other Australian cricketers were involved in spot-fixing during the same match. Both Maxwell and Cricket Australia denied the allegations, with Maxwell stating that he had no reason to ruin his own achievement.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) launched an investigation into the allegations, engaging four independent betting and cricketing specialists to analyse the claims. Cricket Australia stated that they would cooperate with the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit but emphasised that they were unaware of any credible evidence linking Australian players to corruption. They urged Al Jazeera to provide all unedited materials and evidence to the ICC investigation team.

In 2021, the ICC concluded its investigation, declaring that no charges would be made under the Anti-Corruption Code due to insufficient credible and reliable evidence. The four independent panels found that the passages of play mentioned in the documentary were entirely predictable and therefore implausible as a fix.

It is important to note that the Al Jazeera documentary also made allegations against other individuals and matches, including Robin Morris, a professional cricketer from Mumbai, who was suspected of match-fixing during Sri Lanka's home Test series against Australia in 2016 and India in 2017. These allegations were also investigated by the ICC, but no charges were brought.

shunculture

India's World Cup loss to Australia in 2023

India's loss to Australia in the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup Final on November 19 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad left millions of fans heartbroken. The Indian cricket team's dream of winning the Cricket World Cup for the third time in its history ended on a sour note, as Australia secured a comfortable victory, lifting the coveted trophy for the sixth time.

Australia won by six wickets with 42 balls remaining. After putting India in to bat first, Australia's bowlers restricted India to 240 runs. The Indian team lost wickets at crucial spots, with Rohit Sharma losing his wicket in the 10th over, followed by Shreyas Iyer in the 11th. Virat Kohli and KL Rahul put up some resistance with a half-century stand, but they too fell to poor shot selections. The pitch in Ahmedabad, slower and drier than expected, played a crucial role, and the wet ball allowed Australian batters Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne to build a big partnership. India's middle order, including Iyer and Suryakumar Yadav, couldn't contribute significantly, and the team failed to build any substantial partnerships throughout the game.

Australia's skipper Cummins' strategic bowling changes and field placements limited the runs from the Indian side. Their top order maintained an aggressive batting approach, converting a 241-chase into a more manageable task. Travis Head, in particular, played a crucial role in Australia's victory, scoring 137 runs and earning the Player of the Match award. Virat Kohli of India was awarded the Player of the Series for his outstanding performance throughout the tournament.

While some fans expressed their sadness and disappointment on social media, others offered consolation and praised Team India for their efforts and for winning the hearts of their supporters.

shunculture

ICC's zero-tolerance approach to match-fixing

Match-fixing is a serious issue that undermines the very foundations of sport, including fair play, respect, and discipline. As a result, the ICC, or International Cricket Council, has a zero-tolerance policy towards match-fixing and betting on fixed matches. This means that any violation of the rules and sports ethics will not be tolerated and is punishable by law.

The ICC's approach to match-fixing is similar to that of UEFA, which also has a zero-tolerance policy. UEFA's approach is threefold: prevention through education, monitoring and reporting in cooperation with the betting industry, and taking action through punishment and disciplinary sanctions. UEFA has also reinforced its match-fixing operations by creating a new hub focusing on the protection of football, which includes disciplinary, anti-doping, and integrity units. Additionally, UEFA has collaborated with government authorities, police forces, and other law enforcement agencies to tackle match-fixing and ensure the integrity of the sport.

Similarly, the Oceania Football Confederation and FIFA also employ a zero-tolerance policy towards match-fixing. FIFA's president, Sepp Blatter, has acknowledged that football's governing body cannot tackle the illegal gambling trade alone and requires the support of governments and their respective law enforcement divisions.

The Goa Football Association (GFA) in India has also taken a strong stance against match-fixing, vowing to show zero tolerance for such activities and taking prompt and appropriate action. This includes raising awareness among players about the adverse effects of match-fixing, not just for themselves but for the game as well.

Overall, the ICC's zero-tolerance approach to match-fixing is crucial to maintaining the integrity of cricket and ensuring fair play, respect, and discipline in the sport.

shunculture

Cricketers named in spot-fixing allegations

In 2018, Al Jazeera released a documentary alleging spot-fixing in an India-Australia Test match played in Ranchi in 2017. The documentary claimed that some Australian batsmen intentionally scored runs at a certain rate to match the demands of fixers.

A fixer named Aneel (or Anil) Munawar, based in Mumbai and Dubai, and believed to be working for the crime syndicate 'D Company', named two Australian cricketers involved in fixing the match. However, their names were omitted from the documentary.

Al Jazeera's Investigative Unit also uncovered evidence of corruption at the highest levels of international cricket, involving players from England, Australia, Pakistan, and other teams. The evidence, from 2011 and 2012, pointed to spot-fixing in 15 international matches.

Among the players Munawar was seen close to are Virat Kohli, now India's captain, and Rohit Sharma. Other photographs show Pakistani player Umar Akmal receiving a bag allegedly from a Munawar associate, and Australian coach Andy Bichel.

shunculture

The role of bookies and match-fixers in session fixing

Match fixing, also known as game fixing, race fixing, throwing, rigging, hippodroming, or sports fixing, is the act of manipulating the outcome of a sporting event, violating the rules and often the law. It is considered one of the biggest problems in organised sports and has been linked to corruption, violence, tax avoidance, and illegal gambling.

Bookies, or bookmakers, are individuals or entities that offer bets on various sporting events, such as football matches or horse races. They set the odds or probabilities of different outcomes, aiming to ensure a profit over time. While bookies typically avoid fixed matches due to the potential for significant financial losses, they have been implicated as intermediaries in match-fixing scandals.

In certain scenarios, bookies may face substantial payouts if the favoured team wins a particular match. To mitigate this risk, they might pay the favoured team, referee, or coach to lose, thereby reducing their potential losses and even turning a profit. This practice, known as "session fixing," involves manipulating specific portions or sessions of a match rather than the final outcome.

Match-fixers are individuals or groups who orchestrate the manipulation of match results. They may be athletes, coaches, referees, or others with influence over the sporting event. In exchange for bribes or other incentives, match-fixers deliberately underperform or influence others to do so, impacting the outcome.

To avoid detection, bookies and match-fixers employ various strategies. Bookies may use live bets, waiting until the last few minutes of a game to reverse the result and disguise their involvement. They also have their own teams monitoring events and rumours of fixed matches. Match-fixers, on the other hand, may act in subtle ways, such as intentionally striking out in baseball or bowling no-balls in cricket, making it harder to discern their true intentions.

Frequently asked questions

There is no evidence to suggest that the 2023 Cricket World Cup final match between India and Australia was fixed. However, some people, including Anupam Mittal, made posts alluding to match-fixing after India's loss.

In 2018, Al Jazeera alleged that three of India's Test matches in recent years may have been fixed, including the India vs. Australia Test played in Ranchi from March 16-20, 2017. However, no Indian cricketers were named or mentioned in any of the spot-fixing allegations.

After India's defeat in the 2023 Cricket World Cup final, Anupam Mittal posted, "Dear Team India, Thank you for teaching us that partnership is everything, that there will be ups and downs, that you can lose but still win hearts #INDvsAUS #CWC23Final". The post went viral and was interpreted by some as alluding to match-fixing.

India started strongly with Rohit Sharma leading the charge. However, momentum slowed after his departure, and despite half-centuries from Virat Kohli and KL Rahul, India's scoring rate decelerated in the middle overs, resulting in a final total of 240 runs within their 50 overs. Australia initially struggled at 47/3 within 7 overs, but a 192-run partnership between Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne shifted the match's dynamics, leading to a comfortable victory for Australia.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) decided to wait and watch, stating that they would act only after the International Cricket Council (ICC) completes its investigation and pronounces a verdict. Cricket Australia and the ICC reiterated their zero-tolerance approach to corruption and urged Al Jazeera to provide all evidence for a thorough investigation.

Written by

Explore related products

Reviewed by
Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment