The match between Punjab Kings and Rajasthan Royals was thrilling with the most least likely team running away with the match as the Royals trumped due to bowler Kartik Tyagi’s last over heroics. Punjab Kings would rue for being so close to a victory yet being so far.
But a statement by Punjab batsman Deepak Hooda has pricked up the ears of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The cricket board with a policy of zero “tolerance” towards corruption and the Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) headed by Shabir Hussein Shekhadam Khandwawala are keeping track of the tournament taking place in the UAE.
Their eyes are now fixed on Deepak Hooda as his social media post before that match has raised suspicions about match-fixing among the officials. The post will be checked by the ACU team to see if it has violated the anti-corruption guidelines.
Here we go💪@PunjabKingsIPL #PBKSvRR #IPL2021 #SADDAPUNJAB pic.twitter.com/UfujNTU9QG
— Deepak Hooda (@HoodaOnFire) September 21, 2021
An ACU official talked to ANI and said that they are looking into this matter and will check if it violates any rules set by the BCCI’s ACU. According to the official, Hooda had broken restrictions regarding any talk of the composition of the team.
Around 2 PM yesterday, he posted a photo on social media with the caption, “ Here we go punjabkingsipl #pbksvsrr #ipl2021 #saddapunjab.” while putting on the helmet of the team. The officials suspected that this post by the player violated the anti-corruption guidelines and the ACU team will have to investigate this matter. The ACU official continued saying that while the post missed the team, they are looking into it to check whether it has breached rules set by the BCCI ACU.
The ACU official was asked about how cricketers should react to messages on social media from fans and followers and the official replied by saying that. Former ACU chief Ajit Singh had said to Inside Sport that social media interactions of the players were being monitored, before the start of last year’s IPL. He had further elaborated by saying that due to the pandemic, the number of venues is less but the hurdles of physical travel could lead to approaches being made through social media and hence are monitoring the same and ensuring that nothing escapes their eyes.
Deepak Hooda’s failed to make a mark in this match as he got dismissed by Kartik Tyagi. The KL Rahul led side will next face Sunrisers Hyderabad on the 25th of September in Sharjah.