Interview with Neeraj Kumar, author of A Cop In Cricket

The anti-corruption regime should be extended to domestic cricket by creating ACUs in state associations as well so that anti-corruption education programmes are extended to every upcoming cricketer.

on Apr 18, 2023

Interview with Neeraj Kumar, author of A Cop In Cricket

Neeraj Kumar, a distinguished police officer, joined the IPS in 1976 and retired as the Commissioner of Police, Delhi in 2013.During his eventful career, nine years of which were in the CBI,he conducted several investigations of international dimensions involving terrorism, organized crime, economic offences and corruption. He represented India at the deliberations for the UN Convention Against Transnational Organised Crime and the UN International Convention Against the Taking of Hostages. A Cop in Cricket is his third book after bestsellers Dial D for Don and Khaki Files. Seasons 1 and 2 of Netflix’s Delhi Crime are based on stories from his second book.

Frontlist: What was your impetus to write "A Cop in Cricket?"

Neeraj Kumar: I spent three years in the BCCI as the head of their Anti Corruption Unit. My experience of those three years were insightful, interesting and, on occasions, unacceptable. Together, I felt, they were worth sharing with the world, particularly with the lovers of cricket. What better option I had to tell that story than to write a book.

Frontlist: How challenging was it to deal with corruption and betrayal in Indian cricket?

Neeraj kumar: It is always difficult to fight corruption as there always are vested interests present in the system who protect the corrupt. In the BCCI it was particularly difficult as they are most indifferent and cussed towards this fight.

Frontlist: In your book, you have been unsparing in your criticism of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). How did the BCCI respond to your book?

Neeraj kumar: I have not received any response from them – either negative or positive.

Frontlist: What measures do you suggest to curb corruption in cricket, especially at the grassroots level?

Neeraj kumar: The anti-corruption regime should be extended to domestic cricket by creating ACUs in state associations as well so that anti-corruption education programmes are extended to every upcoming cricketer. All malpractices noticed at grassroots level should get addressed at that level itself.

Frontlist: What were some of the positive changes you brought about during your tenure at ACSU?

Neeraj kumar: First and foremost, I managed to elbow out a South Africa based security company that had thus far provided security services to the BCCI for its international matches as also the IPL. They were replaced by an Indian security vendor. In the bargain the BCCI began to save around Rs. 20 crores annually and the country precious foreign exchange.

Secondly, a scamster namely Vijay Barhate who was cheating upcoming cricketers with the lure of getting them berths in the IPL was arrested. Thirdly, a gang trying to doctor pitches during an IPL match at Kanpur was busted. Fourthly, private leagues being played only for the purpose of betting and fixing were disrupted. Further, a gang indulging in human trafficking using cricket for its dubious designs was apprehended. A gang of coaches and selectors exploiting upcoming cricketers was exposed. Most importantly, the Anti-Corruption Unit of the BCCI became a pro-active unit rather than an armchair outfit.

Frontlist: The book has been praised for shedding light on the darker aspects of Indian cricket. What message would you like readers to take away from "A Cop in Cricket," and what impact do you hope it will have on the sport and its administration?

Neeraj kumar: My only hope is that the fans become aware of their rights and they demand better spectating facilities. At the end of the day it is on account of the fans that cricket in India is so rich. They should demand better seats, clean drinking water, clean toilets, etcetera. They should demand transparency in the expenditures incurred by the cricketing bodies. Domestic cricket too should ask for better wages and better travelling facilities.

Frontlist: You have written extensively about state cricket associations diverting the corpus meant for promoting cricket at the grassroots level. What steps do state associations need to take to ensure transparency and fair play in using these funds?

Neeraj kumar: The State Associations are not interested in the least to fight the malfeasance in their ranks as they all stand to benefit from it (diversion of funds). It is only for the BCCI to fight it. However, they wouldn’t do anything either as they bank on the state associations for their votes. It is a no-win situation where only the losers are poor cricketers at the grassroots level.