Pitch tampering row: Curator Pandurang Salgaonkar is no stranger to controversy
The 68-year-old former cricketer was filmed passing on information to two reporters posing as bookies.
The pitch curator for Wednesday's match between India and New Zealand in Pune was suspended by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for allegedly passing on information about the track to reporters posing as bookies and showed willingness to tweak the strip, an undercover investigation by India Today has revealed.
Footage shows former cricketer Pandurang Salgaonkar giving unrestricted access to the news channel's reporters who were posing as bookies.
When the "bookies" asked if something could be done to assist New Zealand's pacers, Salgaonkar said that he was willing to tweak the pitch.
The Maharashtra Cricket Association curator is no stranger to preparing questionable tracks.
The track supposed to be used in Pune on Wednesday had drawn flak in February this year during a Test match between India and Australia and was deemed 'poor' by the match referee.
The visiting Australian side had thrashed India by a whopping 333 runs within three days on what was believed to be a 'rank-turner'. India was bowled out for 105 and 107 in the two innings.
Who is Pandurang Salgaonkar?
The 68-year-old former cricketer played 63 first-class matches and had picked up 214 wickets at an average of 26.7.
A Malvan-born fast bowler, he was selected for the January-February 1974 Sri Lanka tour after a strong performance in the previous domestic season. Playing in the second unofficial Test in Sri Lanka, Salgaonkar opened the bowling with Madan Lal and scalped 5-42.
In spite of his good performance, Salgaonkar was not picked for India's tour of England later that year.
Post retirement, Salgaonkar has served as the Chief Selector of the Maharashtra Ranji Trophy team. Besides being the curator at the MCA stadium, Salgaonkar runs his own coaching academy in Pune.
