‘Hang My Son If Guilty,’ Says Delhi-Based ‘Fixer’s’ Father

“If he has done something wrong, let them hang him,” says Baljit Singh Joban.

Baljit Singh Joban faced possibly the worst news of his life on Thursday, when he heard that his son Sobers Joban is part of a spot-fixing racket during the ongoing Ashes series in Australia. In a video released by The Sun, Joban is seen offering to sell information on the fixed sessions of the third Ashes Test to undercover reporters. The Perth Test started on Thursday.

Sobers Joban, who supposedly once played in the same Delhi team as Virat Kohli, allegedly fixed matches with Priyank Saxena.

Baljit Joban, who owns a cricket coaching centre in Delhi, said that if his son has done something wrong then he should be hanged, according to the Indian Express.

My son used to organise matches in Delhi. Maybe he met someone there, how would I know? Now that the ICC is investigating the case, let’s wait. If he has done something wrong, let them hang him. I asked him this morning about the incident and he said he had not done anything wrong. He’s a grown-up, I can’t advise him.

Baljit Singh Joban to Indian Express

Baljit said that he once feared that his son may commit suicide due to depression, since he hasn’t played cricket for four years.

He was a good player. He has not played for the last four years. At one point, he was so depressed that I feared he would commit suicide. Currently, he stays here with me.

Baljit Singh Joban to Indian Express

Sobers played for the Himachal Pradesh team in the U-17, U-19 and U-22 categories. He also played for the U-22 Delhi team in the 2007-08 season.

However, Baljit Singh Joban told PTI that his son has never been to UK or Australia.

My son has never been to UK or Australia and they (The Sun) are claiming that he could have fixed an Ashes Test. He only goes to Dubai and Russia. Russia, because he has a Russian girlfriend whom he will marry. Right now, I am not letting Sobers speak to anyone. No one from ICC ACU has contacted us

Baljit Singh Joban

In the sting, Joban was seen with Saxena, who was hauled up by cops last year for an alleged fraud case wherein the latter had promised to get a woman cricketer a break in a state team.

To this Baljeet's reply was:

I can’t keep track of everything that my adult son does. I don’t know about his friend circle. All I know this is a part of a larger conspiracy.

Baljit Singh Joban

Baljeet is one among the innumerable regulars seen hanging around with powers that be in the Delhi and Districts Cricket Association (DDCA) at the Feroz Shah Kotla.

He had been an administrative manager of various Delhi age group teams (U-19 and U-15) with blessings of former DDCA President Sneh Bansal, a former BCCI vice-president.

Bansal, incidentally, was removed after allegations surfaced that he was involved in financial irregularities in the DDCA to the tune of Rs 1.5 crore.

"Yes I am Sneh Bansal's man and will remain his loyalist," Joban declares.

In the DDCA circles, some old timers, who had seen his son Sobers play in the league and also during age group trials, recall him as a below par Cricketer.

Joban used his influence and got him selected in the Delhi U-23 team back in 2007-08. He was below average. He played age group cricket for Himachal Pradesh. Both father and son are big mouths known to make tall claims.

Senior DDCA official

When Joban Sr was quizzed about his son's cricketing talent, he accused the DDCA of destroying his career.

DDCA finished my son’s career. He played a match against Himachal Pradesh in the U-23 tournament. Since he had earlier played for HP at U-15, 17 and 19 levels, he was booed and he got out. Bacche ko phir kabhi khilaya hi nahi (My child was never given another chance).

Baljit Singh Joban

What many in Delhi cricket circuit feel is that Sobers, like his father, may have been making tall claims that got him into trouble.

I am fully convinced that neither Sobers nor Baljeet knows any top Ranji Cricketer leave alone India player. They may get an odd selfie for a Facebook post. I don’t think this fellow would know any England or Australia player.

Senior DDCA official 

"But if he is that small fry or a pawn in a bigger conspiracy or was acting as a conduit for bookmakers or a fixing syndicate, he needs to be probed by ICC's anti corruption unit," he added.

(With inputs from PTI)

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