Madhavan probe commences on Saturday

The Board of Control for Cricket in India's anti-corruption commissioner K Madhavan will cross-examine those named in the Central Bureau of Investigation report on match-fixing, in Chennai from Saturday.

Madhavan, a former joint director in the CBI, said, "I will cross-examine the persons named in the CBI report from tomorrow in Chennai and the process is going to continue till Monday."

He said six persons have confirmed that they will appear for the inquiry but refused to name them.

The anti-corruption commissioner had stated earlier that he would be summoning former skipper Mohammad Azharuddin, Ajay Jadeja, former all-rounder Manoj Prabhakar, prolific Delhi batsman Ajay Sharma, wicketkeeper Nayan Mongia, former physio Ali Irani, Ferozshah Kotla groundsman Ram Adhar and some BCCI officials.

BCCI sources said Prabhakar, Sharma and Azhar are likely to be cross-examined on Saturday while Mongia, Jadeja and Irani are likely to be questioned on Sunday.

However, it is not immediately clear whether Adhar, who has been asked to explain by the Delhi District Cricket Association, following the CBI allegation that he had received Rs 50,000 from Ajay Sharma and alleged bookie Mukesh Gupta to prepare a tailor-made pitch, was also summoned for the Chennai inquiry.

All the named players have been banned from playing both international and domestic cricket pending the inquiry by Madhavan.

BCCI president A C Muthiah has said the board's working committee will take a final decision on the fate of the affected players by the month-end after Madhavan completes his inquiry.

Madhavan will also examine some board officials against whom the CBI has made observations in its report on betting and match-fixing.

Mail Cricket Editor