Salgaonkar suspended, confirms BCCI acting president

C.K. Khanna also wrote to Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) president Abhay Apte and BCCI’s Anti Corruption & Security Unit chief Neeraj Kumar on the issue.

Salgaoncar is not new to controversy, in February this year, the Pune wicket came under scanner after Australia defeated India in the opening Test.

Reacting strongly to the sting operation conducted on Pune pitch curator Pandurang Salgaonkar, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has suspended the 68-year-old. "We have suspended him and he will not be allowed to enter the stadium. He will be barred," BCCI acting president CK Khanna told Sportstar .

This comes after reports emerged that Salgaoncar had agreed to 'tamper' the pitch after some television reporters, posed as bookies, approached him.

Khanna also said that he has already written to Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) chief Abhay Apte on the issue. "An inquiry has started against the curator. As of now, the BCCI curator from Mumbai has been asked to take charge of the ground," Khanna said, adding: "I have written to Neeraj Kumar (BCCI's Anti Corruption & Security Unit chief) and the MCA has been asked to submit reports."

Asked if this would have an impact on the ongoing India-New Zealand series, Khanna outrightly said: "Not at all. It will go on."

Salgaoncar is not new to controversy, in February this year, the Pune wicket came under scanner after Australia defeated India in the opening Test.