Was Indian cricketer involved in alleged rape in Zimbabwe? Here's the truth

New Delhi: Team India was on Sunday rocked by a huge controversy as the Zimbabwean media reported that an individual from the Indian contingent was arrested for allegedly raping a local woman.

The reports stated that India's ambassador to the African nation, R Masakui, had tried to prevent the player's arrest last night at a Harare hotel.

That however turned out to be false as official sources in India confirmed that an official associated with one of the sponsors of the series and not any cricketer was arrested even though he pleaded innocence to the charge.

"Regarding media reports of an Indian cricketer being involved in an alleged case of rape in Harare, we have spoken to our Ambassador to Zimbabwe. The report is totally false. No Indian cricketer is involved," the sources said.

"An Indian affiliated with one of the sponsors has been arrested. He has also denied the charge and said he is ready for a DNA test to prove his innocence. Our Ambassador is following the matter closely," they added.

The BCCI, on its part, refused to comment, claiming that it is yet to ascertain the exact facts of the issue.

"We are keeping a close watch on the development. It is a serious issue. Being aware of the sensitive nature of the issue, the BCCI won't make comments without ascertaining facts," said a senior Board official on condition of anonymity.

Later in the day however, BCCI president Anurag Thakur too clarified that no Indian cricketer was involved in the alleged incident.

There is no truth in this allegation. No one from Indian team is involved in incident: Anurag Thakur, BCCI Chairman pic.twitter.com/DJkxnrbnwg — ANI (@ANI_news) June 19, 2016

(With PTI inputs)