Daijiworld Media Network

New Delhi, Nov 19: Former cricketer Vinod Kambli's claims that the 1996 World Cup semi-final match between India and Sri Lanka was fixed has raked up a storm in the country. Union sports minister Ajay Maken has now demanded a probe by the BCCI into the allegations.

He also said that if BCCI fails to take action, the ministry will step in.

Kambli had earlier raised a few eyebrows during his interview to a TV channel in which he said there was something 'amiss' in the game against Sri Lanka, and that the decision to field first after winning the toss had 'surprised' him.

"When a player of the team has made a charge, it should be thoroughly investigated," Maken said.

"The claims must be properly investigated and if something is wrong the guilty should be punished. BCCI should order a probe into it, but if it doesn't, we (sports ministry) will look at it," Maken said.

He further said that the claims, if found true, would damage the game. "We should go to the roots of it. Cricket lovers have the right to know because the World Cup semi-final was watched by everyone all over the country and if match-fixing has happened then it is extremely unfortunate," he added.

He also said the ministry will contemplate on enforcing an anti-corruption law against betting in sports.

"I think it is high time we have a law against betting as far as sports is concerned," he said, calling for all federations and the BCCI to fall under the ambit of the RTI.

"Looking at these incidents my belief has become all the more strong that these federations (BCCI and others) should definitely come under RTI," he said.

Meanwhile, the BCCI reacted to Maken's statement and said that Vinod Kambli's claims are not worth probing.

"We are not giving any importance to the claims made by Kambli. If a person wakes up after 15 years and makes some allegations, that is not worth taking note of," senior BCCI official Rajiv Shukla told reporters.