Court Says Some Games Fixed During India vs South Africa Series In 2000

A Delhi court, which framed charges against four accused in the 2000 cricket match-fixing scandal case, said some matches of the India-South Africa test and ODI series were fixed and attempts were made to fix other fixtures. The two tests and five one-day internationals were held from February 19 to March 19, 2000. The court said, "Investigation also concluded that some of the matches were fixed and an attempt was made to fix some other matches." It said noting the investigation that in the first test match at Mumbai from February 24 to 28, "It was decided that the South African Team will not score more than 250 runs in an inning and the same is evident from the statement of Pieter Strydom and Hansie Cronje before the King's Commission." In the second Test match at Bengaluru from March 2 to 6, the court noted that, "Though Hansie Cronje had spoken to other players as per the statements made before the King's Commission, this match was not fixed although an attempt was made to fix it." Noting the evidence before it, the court said that the first ODI on March 9 in Kochi was a fixed match.

"The conversation recorded on March 16, 2000, wherein Hansie Cronje demands outstanding payment and Hansie Cronje's statement before King's Commission admitting receiving of money from Sanjeev Chawla, clearly prove that the 1st One Day International was a fixed match," it said.

"Statement of Hansie Cronje made before the King's Commission that he had informed Sanjay (alias Sanjeev Chawla) about losing the first One Day International is further corroborated by the statement of others made before the King's Commission," the court added.

Regarding the second ODI at Jamshedpur on March 12, third ODI at Faridabad on March 15 and the fourth ODI