'Pitch for sale' controversy rocks India-New Zealand series

In a sting operation by India Today reporters, Pandurang Salgaonkar, pitch curator of the MCA Stadium in Pune, is seen on camera promising to prepare the pitch according to bookies' demands.

File photo of the MCA Stadium in Pune

New Delhi: Controversy surrounding inside information on the pitch by curator of Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) Stadium in Pune has rocked New Zealand's ongoing tour of India just hours before the second ODI at the venue is scheduled to begin.

In a sting operation by India Today reporters, Pandurang Salgaonkar is seen on video promising to prepare the pitch according to their (bookies') demand.

Shortly after the sting became public, ANI, quoting its BCCI sources, tweeted that Salgaonkar will be suspended and the match referee will decide whether to call off the second ODI of the series or not.

In another tweet, the ANI said that BCCI acting-president CK Khanna has written to the board's anti-corruption unit head, Neeraj Kumar, to get in touch with Pune team and send a report.

Meanwhile, MCA president Abhay Apte told India Today that he will "look into the matter" and "if anyone (is) found guilty, strict action will be taken."

Salgaonkar even allowed the reporters in disguise to take a look at the pitch, throwing the BCCI and ICC regulations out of the window.

The reporters asked the curator if a couple of players' demand for bounce in the pitch can be met and Salgaonkar replied, "it will be done".

He also revealed information that the pitch is going to favour batsmen and could produce 337-340 runs, which will remain chaseable for the team batting second.