Senior cricketers amassed assets worth Rs 200 cr -- Dhindsa

Senior cricketers amassed assets worth Rs 200 cr -- Dhindsa
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

NEW DELHI, JULY 8: Amidst the clouds of match-fixing controversy hanging over Indian cricket, Sports Minister S S Dhindsa said senior cricketers in the Indian team have amassed assets to the tune of Rs 200 crore.

``I have information that the juniormost cricketers in the Indian team have assets worth Rs 10 crore. As for the seniors, the figure could go upto Rs 200 crore,'' said Dhindsa, as quoted in the latest issue of weekly news-magazine.

Asked about the involvement of Indian players in the scandal, the Sports Minister said though according to his information five-six players were involved, the number could be more.

He reitereated that players and officials, including Mohd Azharuddin and Kapil Dev, against whom match-fixing allegations were levelled, should step down till they were cleared of the charges.

``After Hansie Cronje said on oath that he had been introduced by Azhar to a man who turned out to be a bookie, Azhar should have stepped down. An allegation on oath is serious,'' he said.

The Sports Minister also criticised the cricket board (BCCI) for its reluctance to discuss the matter with him.