Former Karnataka cricketers CM Gautam and Abrar Kazi have been arrested by the state police's Central Crime Branch (CCB) on charges of spot-fixing during the Karnataka Premier League (KPL) final earlier this year.
According to an ESPNcricinfo report, Gautam, captain of Bellary Tuskers, and Kazi who plays for the same team, allegedly accepted Rs 20 lakh for "slow batting" in the final against Hubli Tigers, which the Tuskers lost by eight runs.
Chasing 153 runs, Tuskers ended up with 144, with opener Gautam scoring a 37-ball 29 while Kazi struck 13 off six deliveries.
The two are also believed to have been involved in fixing another match against the Bengaluru Blasters. CCB officials stated that the duo was paid Rs 20 lakh for "slow batting" during the final of the tournament.
The arrest of the two comes a day another player Nishant Shekhawat was arrested for allegedly acting as an intermediary between bookies and players in the KPL.
A total of seven people, including four players, have been arrested till now in the KPL spot-fixing case.
The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) runs the KPL T20 tournament every year on the lines of the popular Indian Premier League (IPL) tournament by the cash-rich Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
Gautam is a popular name in Karnataka cricket circles and was instrumental in helping the Karnataka Ranji cricket team win back-to-back domestic trebles in 2013-14 and 2014-15. After nine years with his home state, he moved to Goa this season and was named their captain for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy which begins on Friday. He is a wicket-keeper and a right-handed batsman.
Gautam also played for the India-A team and has represented Royal Challengers Bangalore, Mumbai Indians, and Delhi Daredevils in the IPL. Kazi, meanwhile, also played under Gautam at different stages of his career. He represented Karnataka before moving to Nagaland last year. He transferred to Mizoram at the start of this season. He represented Royal Challengers Bangalore in one game.
The scandal came to light in September this year with the arrest of Belagavi Panthers owner Ali Asfak.
With inputs from IANS