After the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) campaign was corrupted with allegations, the Assam cricket woke up to a mess. As a result of an investigation by the BCCI, the Assam Cricket Association has suspended four players and lodged an FIR. The move reverberated in the cricket circles and questioned the very core of the game in domestic cricket, i.e., the player’s honesty.
Suspensions And FIR After Damning Inputs
The ACA suspended Amit Sinha, Ishan Ahmed, Aman Tripathi, and Abhishek Thakuri after troubling inputs surfaced during the tournament. All four have represented Assam at various domestic levels. The association acted after the BCCI Anti-Corruption and Security Unit reviewed the matter. Officials believe the players tried to influence Assam squad members during SMAT games.
The ACA also registered an FIR with the state crime branch to start criminal proceedings. Secretary Sanatan Das said early findings showed serious misconduct harming cricket’s credibility. The players now face bans from all ACA events and affiliated club competitions. They also cannot serve in any cricket-related role, including coaching or officiating. District units received clear orders to enforce the suspension strictly.
What It Means For Assam Cricket
These developments have deepened the disappointing SMAT season for Assam, where the team failed to qualify for the Super League stage. Officials have refrained from associating the results with allegations, however, the timing of the events is rather worrying. The incident is a clear indication of the dangers that the domestic cricket system faces and therefore, calls for stricter monitoring.
The investigation outcome will shape future action. The ACA seeks to restore the public’s confidence by being open and transparent. Through this incident, the EC visually confirms its stringent policy of no tolerance at all.
Author’s Take
It was absolutely necessary to take quick action. The cricket in Assam has to not only clean its system but also do it in such a way that its credibility is preserved.
