MUMBAI — A Rajasthan Royals player in India's lucrative domestic cricket league was offered money to influence a game last month but reported the approach to the country's board, the team said Friday. The player, who was not named, was offered money by a state teammate if he followed a “pre-decided pattern of play,” the Indian Express newspaper reported. Confirming the approach, the Rajasthan franchise said the player immediately reported the incident to the Indian cricket board's (BCCI) Anti-Corruption and Security Unit. “Over a month ago, a player from Rajasthan Royals was approached inappropriately by a player (who was not part of the IPL) in connection with the Indian Premier League 2015 matches,” Rajasthan CEO Raghu Iyer said in a statement. “Rajasthan Royals commends the player for having reported this incident immediately and for his honesty and uprightness. “His dedication to maintain the highest standards of integrity needs to be lauded.” BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur confirmed that the player had informed the anti-corruption unit about the incident. “A player was approached and he immediately intimated BCCI anti-corruption unit. Glad that BCCI education policy showing positive results,” Thakur said on Twitter. “Players are alert and they know what is to be done due to our regular education efforts.” Rajasthan is all too aware about the threat of match-fixing after former India paceman Shanthakumaran Sreesanth and two other cricketers from the team were arrested in 2013 on suspicion of taking money to concede a fixed number of runs. Sreesanth, who denied any wrongdoing, was subsequently banned for life by the BCCI. Rajasthan stuns Punjab Rajasthan Royals (RR) stunned Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) by 26 runs in their opening match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2015, at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Ground in Pune Friday. After setting a challenging total of 163 to win, Rajasthan kept Punjab to 136-8 from the allotted 20 overs. Brief scores: Rajasthan Royals 162 for 7 in 20 overs (Steven Smith 33, Deepak Hooda 30, James Faulkner 46; Anureet Singh 3 for 23, Mitchell Johnson 2 for 34). Kings XI Punjab 136 for 8 in 20 overs (Murali Vijay 37; James Faulkner 3 for 26, Tim Southee 2 for 36). — Agencies
