JK Baruah U-19 cricket: MP Sushmita Dev alleges match fixing, ACA calls hearing on 23 Feb

Feb. 19: The knock out match played between Jorhat and NF Railways in the J K Baruah Inter District U-19 Cricket Match at Golaghat DSA Ground has given rise to great resentment in the arena of sports. It was alleged that in order to drive out Silchar from the tournament, the players of Jorhat and NF Railways resorted to match fixing.

Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader and Member of Rajya Sabha Sushmita Dev on  on Friday wrote to Chief Minister of Assam Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, wherein she alleged charges of match fixing and sought his intervention into the matter. Earlier during the day, in a tweet she wrote, “It’s very unfortunate where the Railway U-19 team intentionally underperforms to knockout Silchar & the Coach is assaulted. Assam cricket association must take action & ensure justice is done.”

Sushmita Dev in her letter addressed to CM Assam wrote, “This is to bring to your notice that in the J K Baruah Inter District U-19 Cricket Match between NF Railway and Jorhat held in Golaghat DSA Ground there seems a clear conspiracy to betray Silchar to reach the finals who were heading the points table of the tournament.”

Citing the points tally, Ms Dev wrote, “Silchar U-19 team was sitting at the top of the table at 4 points whereas the other two teams, Jorhat and NF Railways were at 2 points each after 2 matches. In the two-day match, both Jorhat and NF Railways required a big victory to directly qualify for the finals. On Day-2, when the match went into mandatory overs i.e. 11 overs out of 13 were played off, it was practically impossible for Jorhat to win the match. Hence both the Umpires called off the match removing the bails of the stumps thereby signaling the end of the match.”

Alleging deep conspiracy, the Rajya Sabha MP further wrote, “When the picture was clear, conspiracy began, as the skipper of the Jorhat team rushed to the ground and was seen having some talk with the Umpires. To the utter surprise of all, the Umpires resumed the match within a while violating all the established rules and norms of cricket. ,Jorhat was given a clear chance by the NF Railways to win the match by hitting the ball like anything in just 2 overs. As a result of the clear match fixing, Jorhat achieved the run rate above Silchar and thereby headed the points table.”

On the basis of these allegations, MP Dev raised the issue of violation of rules of  the match. In her letter to the Chief Minister she stated, “A major question which arises is that- whether the Umpires can restart a match after calling off the match. Sports fraternity from all corners feels that this is a complete violation of the rules of the game.”

Sushmita Dev further alleged that the Coach of the Silchar team who was present there in the ground later on voiced against the clear picture of match fixing but he was also assaulted and abused. In the circumstances, she sought the immediate intervention of the Chief Minister and requested him to investigate the matter personally so that justice may prevail and the spirit of Cricket wins.

Meanwhile, Bijendra Prasad Singh, General Secretary of Silchar DSA also lodged his grievance with Assam Cricket Association (ACA). The ACA has also taken cognizance of the matter and ordered a hearing at ACA Stadium, Guwahati on 23 February, 2022. Bijendra Prasad Singh has also been called to be present during the hearing. GS Singh has in the meantime urged upon the ACA not to go for the final match of the J K Baruah Inter District U-19 Cricket Match scheduled on 20-21 February until the crucial hearing gets over on 23 February.