March 1, 1999

By Dilip Bobb

The allegations have been around for some time, but now they face their sternest test. The games that people play are under the third umpire's microscope and he will decide whether to press the red button or the green one regarding the charges of ball tampering, illegal conduct, throwing matches and consorting with the wrong kind of people. The newly-constituted committee empowered to examine the facts has released transcripts of the testimony submitted by various key players. Excerpts.

Gurcharan Singh Tohra: I have had a long innings and played the game for many years. In early February, I was approached by someone and asked to throw the match in favour of Parkash Singh Badal. I refused and asked my supporters to swear on the Holy Book that they would not succumb to temptation. But my suspicions were aroused when a key player, Giani Mohan Singh, did not show up. I believe he was kidnapped. To make matters worse, Giani Puran Singh feigned illness on the day of the match. I strongly urge the Akal Takht to deal sternly with those indulging in match-fixing, otherwise this badal of suspicion hanging over Sikh politics will remain.

J.B. Patnaik: I had been summoned by the board president on three occasions to give my side of the story. I told her that there was this Christian lobby which was hell bent on dragging my name into all sorts of baseless allegations. I am the only one with a base, so I presumed the next captain would be a member of my team. Imagine my surprise when a total outsider was rushed in as a last-minute replacement and appointed captain. I believe the neutral umpires, Madhavrao Scindia and Pranab Mukherjee, were anything but neutral and I was unfairly given out caught behind.

Laloo Yadav: I have made the most sacrifices but my suspicions were aroused when I was unceremoniously dropped from the team, even though I was in top form and the most popular player. Even then people accused me of manipulating my successor and giving her instructions on how to play the game. Now that she has also been dropped, even though she is the second most popular player, I strongly believe that the rules governing the game need to be reviewed and those responsible for bringing us to this sorry state be put behind bars.

A.B. Vajpayee: Ever since I was elected captain, there has been unbearable pressure from outsiders and people wanting to get into the team. I have been receiving a list of demands from places as far away as Chennai and Calcutta, not to mention the unsolicited advice from Nagpur. This has seriously hampered our performance and led to disillusionment among our many fans. I have tried to play with a straight bat but even our own supporters insist on bowling more than the permitted bouncers. That is why I am taking a bus to Lahore, where I can find peace and quiet for a day or two.

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