Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Dec 21: The central crime branch (CCB) which has been investigating match fixing and betting scandal in Karnataka Premier League (KPL) matches have found that the players used code words and signals, to convey information to bookies so that they can engage in gambling.

The bookies, it is said, lured the players into accepting their offers by paying them handsomely and by throwing lavish parties. The players used code words to communicate with the bookies, CCB says. Signals like slowly folding the sleeves of the shirt, changing bats etc were observed by the bookies on the television sets and
engaged in gambling.

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When a player acted like folding the sleeve, which meant that the ball would be dropped. If the sleeves are folded twice or thrice, it meant the number of runs the batsman will take. Changing of bats was another signal which was used to convey information, CCB sources stated.

It is learnt that some leading bookies have gone underground and the police are searching for them.

Bookie and coach Vinu Prasad told the CCB officials that during the match between Hubballi Tigers and Bengaluru Blasters on August 31, 2018, M Vishwanath, batsman of the Blasters team, had agreed to follow Prasad's instructions. A reward of Rs 5 lac was offered to bat slowly in that match. Prasad reportedly approached Prasad during practice the previous day, and entered into an agreement to score less than ten runs from 20 balls, and to fold the sleeves of the jersey to give indication to bookies standing outside. Changing the bat was another signal. Vishwanath had scored nine runs from 17 balls before getting out in that match, a senior officer involved with this investigation said.