The Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association was rocked by the allegations of corruption by a sting operation in which a member of IPL Chairman Rajeev Shukla’s personal staff sought bribes to facilitate selection of players. Shukla is currently the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) Secretary.

A Hindi news channel in Uttar Pradesh telecasted an alleged phone conversation between Akram Saifi, an executive assistant of Rajiv Shukla and Cricketer Rahul Sharma, in which Saifi is seeking favors in “cash and kind” to ensure Sharma’s selection in the state team.

“We have taken note of the sting and will examine the entire matter. We will be asking the channel for the audio and also examine the player involved. Until we speak to the people involved, it is difficult to say anything as of now,” BCCI’s ACU chief Ajit Singh told PTI.

Rahul Sharma, who has neither played for India or Uttar Pradesh, alleged that Saifi asked for bribes or/and other favors in order to secure selection into the state team. He also accused Saifi of forging age certificates. Saifi denied all the charges.

“We are open to any inquiry. We follow a very transparent selection process at the UPCA. I can’t comment on the conversation between the two as it is their personal matter. I have checked about Rahul Sharma and found out that he has never even been a part of the state probables. He has no credibility,” said UPCA’s Joint Secretary Yudhveer Singh, who dismissed any charges of corruption in the state association.

“The BCCI only allocates funds for its office-bearers’ personal staff. They are free to appoint people of their choice as executive assistants and their salaries come from this fund. However, the Board has got nothing to do with these staffers. We only provide funds to the office-bearers to keep personal staff. Who they hire is their concern and the staffers report to them, not to the Board,” a top Board official said.

Former India cricketer and UP captain Mohammad Kaif tweeted about this issue saying, “Shocked to hear about the extent of corruption in UP Cricket. Young talent being curbed by corrupt agents asking for favours. Hope @ShuklaRajiv ji ensures a fair investigation and justice to the young talent & helps restore UP Cricket.I stand by all those who have been exploited”

Reactions also came from India and former UP fast bowler RP Singh. He tweeted, “Corruption has been the root cause for the sad state of UP cricket and it stands exposed today. Shame that the future of young talent and UP cricket is compromised for personal gains. Hope fair investigation would help restore the the dignity of the sport to its former glory.”