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BCCI Imposes Lifetime Ban on Former Mumbai T20 League Team Owner Gurmeet Singh Bhamrah in Match-Fixing Case
Bhamrah Found Guilty of Approaching Players During 2019 Mumbai T20 League
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has taken a strong stance against corruption by imposing a lifetime ban on Gurmeet Singh Bhamrah, former co-owner of the SoBo Supersonics team in the Mumbai T20 League. The decision comes after a thorough investigation conducted by BCCI’s Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) which uncovered attempts by Bhamrah to influence the outcome of matches during the 2019 season.
Attempts to Fix Matches Exposed
The ACU’s investigation revealed that Bhamrah attempted to fix matches by offering bribes to two well-known Mumbai cricketers—Dhawal Kulkarni and Bhavin Thakkar. The offer was reportedly made through an intermediary named Sonu Vasan, who contacted Thakkar on Bhamrah’s behalf.
According to the ACU’s report, Vasan offered Thakkar monetary incentives and additional benefits to underperform in games. Thakkar, however, declined the offer and reported the incident, which eventually led to Bhamrah’s exposure.
“Transcript of the conversation shows that Sonu Vasan offered money and other benefits to Bhavin Thakkar at the behest of the respondent,” the report states, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.
The incident highlights the seriousness with which the BCCI views violations of its Anti-Corruption Code, which stipulates a minimum five-year ban and up to a lifetime suspension for such offenses.
BCCI Ombudsman Issues Final Verdict
The final ruling was delivered by BCCI Ombudsman and retired Supreme Court judge Arun Mishra, who reviewed the evidence and imposed a lifetime ban on Gurmeet Singh Bhamrah. The ruling ensures that Bhamrah is now permanently barred from participating in any cricket-related activities under the BCCI’s purview.
Dhawal Kulkarni’s Role in the Case
While Bhavin Thakkar’s cooperation with the ACU was instrumental in the investigation, the report also confirms that Dhawal Kulkarni’s statement was recorded. However, the details of his interaction or responses were not disclosed in the report. Notably, Kulkarni retired in March 2024, shortly after helping Mumbai win the Ranji Trophy.
Past Involvement with GT20 Canada and Return of Mumbai T20 League
Interestingly, Gurmeet Singh Bhamrah was also associated with the now-defunct GT20 Canada league, expanding his presence in franchise-based cricket beyond India. His co-ownership of the SoBo Supersonics also gained attention when the Mumbai T20 League was paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019.
The Mumbai T20 League is scheduled to return in 2025, and this latest scandal serves as a cautionary tale for maintaining integrity as the tournament resumes. For more on domestic cricket leagues, check our in-depth article on the Domestic Cricket.
BCCI Continues Its Crackdown on Corruption
This development underscores the BCCI’s unwavering commitment to cleaning up cricket at all levels. The lifetime ban of a franchise owner sends a powerful message that no individual is above the rules, whether they are players, owners, or stakeholders.
The BCCI’s Anti-Corruption Unit continues to work vigilantly to identify and eliminate such threats to the integrity of Indian cricket.
To learn more about BCCI’s Anti-Corruption initiatives and policies, visit the official BCCI website.
