Indian cricket manager embroiled in match-fixing allegations in Legends Cricket Trophy 2024

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The Legends Cricket Trophy 2024, in all its pompousness after debuting in a resplendent manner, featuring quite a few prominent retired international cricketers from all over the world, has its tag under the scanner after an indictment was formally filed with the Colombo High Court by the Attorney General’s Department, naming an Indian cricket manager in connection with match-fixing allegations during the Legends Cricket Trophy 2024.

The tournament was scheduled at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium from March 8 to March 19, featuring seven teams, and was a 15-over per side competition.

A Senior State Counsel appearing on behalf of the Attorney General made this revelation when the magisterial inquiry into the alleged match-fixing case was taken up before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court. The court was apprised of an indictment lodged before the Colombo High Court against Yoni Patel, a team manager at the Legends Cricket Trophy 2024.

The magisterial inquiry commenced on a complaint made by former Sri Lankan cricketer, Upul Tharanga, who represented the Kandy Samp Army team and New Zealander, Neil Broom, who was playing for the Punjab Royals, claiming that they were coerced into participating in match-fixing arrangements.

Apart from the curtain-raiser and the final, every other day was a double-header. The Rajasthan Kings ranked second on the points table, emerged as the champions after defeating the table-toppers, the New York Superstar Strikers by 20 runs.

The tournament featured a plethora of prominent figures of international cricket like Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Chris Gayle, Ross Taylor, Yusuf Pathan, Irfan Pathan, Matt Prior, Colin de Grandhomme, Daniel Christian, and Mohammad Irfan, to name a few. 

The top 3 leading run-scorers were Chadwick Walton, Robin Uthappa, and Kevin O’Brien, while those as far as the bowlers are concerned were Chris Mpofu, Iqbal Abdulla, and Anureet Singh. Walton ended up with 314 runs in 7 innings while Mpofu took a total of 10 wickets in just four matches.