Making loose and thoughtless statements has been a hallmark of Pandurang Salgaoncar's career, be it as a selector or a curator. He had got away for most part of his career post his days as a player. But yesterday, it cost him his job after a sting operation done by a news channel caught him giving information about the pitch and allegedly agreeing to prepare one that would suit a couple of (unnamed) fast bowlers. The controversy broke on the morning of the India v NZ ODI yesterday. The BCCI suspended Salgaoncar. He has also been banned from entering the stadium. Ramesh Mhamunkar, a member of the BCCI's grounds and pitches committee, was put in charge of the Pune pitch.
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Former India skipper MS Dhoni inspects the pitch ahead of the 2nd ODI v NZ in Pune yesterday. Pic/AFP
In the video released, Salgaoncar is seen giving undercover reporters — allegedly posing as bookies — information about the pitch, which is strictly prohibited under the ICC's anti-corruption code. He is seen telling reporters that a score of 340 is gettable on the Pune wicket. He also took those reporters on the pitch.
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Issue sensationalised?
It seems a far smaller incident than 'the controversy of the season'. Speaking to journalists about the pitch is not something that Salgaoncar has not done in the past. And to be fair to the ex-Maharashtra pacer, he wouldn't be the only curator in India who speaks about what to expect from the pitch ahead of a game. Perhaps, it's his nobody-can-touch-me attitude that has got the better of him this time. Salgaoncar has spoken loosely on a number of occasions about how a top batsman was scared of his bowling and how some undeserving cricketers got a chance ahead of him to play for India, all this in front of media persons. He has gone on record to say strange things even in his role as chairman of the Maharashtra Cricket Association selectors.
A loose cannon
When one of the team's premier batsman was dropped after having scored a hundred against Mumbai in the previous season, Salgaoncar said: "He is dropped because he doesn't know how to bat. He flashes his bat like a sword." For all that trash talk, Salgaoncar has never been pulled up. Perhaps, if it was done, yesterday's controversy could have been averted.
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