The Pune cricket sting targeting curator Pandurang Salgaonkar sparked screaming headlines and sansani breaking news. However, once the noise subsided and noble press statements were issued about 'zero tolerance' for corruption, the facts suggested not much had actually happened.
Of course, all manner of questions hang in the air, but no 'crime' was committed. Was there a security lapse? If so, was this Anti Corruption Territory or does the blame lie elsewhere? Also, what should be done in the future to maintain the integrity of the sport?
First, the facts.
The curator gave some people access to the dressing rooms and the main pitch, and agreed to doctor the track to suit/favour others. The ground reality at any match is, lots and lots of people have legitimate access to the playing area and pitch (including ground staff and the television production team) before the game. If some 'tourists' were given a conducted tour of the middle and a closer look at the surfaces by the curator, it is a misdemeanour.
Also Read: BCCI Suspends Pune Pitch Curator but ODI Goes Ahead as Scheduled