Staggering footage emerges after police take down 'fake' IPL
Police in India have arrested four men alleged to have set up a fake version of the Indian Premier League in order to dupe Russian gamblers.
In images that must be seen to be believed, the men reportedly hired several local labourers as 'players' who took to the field in replica IPL jerseys, with the matches broadcast on a YouTube channel set up to hoodwink unsuspecting gamblers.
OUCH: Cricket fans turn on Steve Smith over 'horrible' act in second Test
WHAT ON EARTH: David Warner skittled amid sight-screen mishap
More than 400,000 in rupees, or roughly $4000, was bet on the matches, which featured canned crowd noise and even someone imitating renowned commentator Harsha Bogle.
While the fakery would have been immediately obvious to even a casual cricket fan, there were several other clues that would have given away the obvious fraud had the gamblers bothered to check what they were betting on.
The Indian Premier League ended in May.
Then, the 'Indian Premier Cricket League' — a fake league designed to trick Russian bettors — began play.
Farmers wore IPL jerseys and fake crowd noise was played on speakers.
They made $4K before being shut down. pic.twitter.com/U2SnnU9FpN— Front Office Sports (@FOS) July 12, 2022
The IPL final only took place at the end of May, with a quick glance at the IPL website likely more than enough to confirm there were no officially sanctioned matches scheduled.
Can't stop laughing. Must hear this "commentator" pic.twitter.com/H4EcTBkJVa
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) July 11, 2022
Additionally, cameras never showed any wide shots of the ground, meaning the indications from the 'umpire' who was also in on the alleged scam, were the only way to tell if any boundaries had been hit or wickets taken.
Despite beginning three weeks after the conclusion of the actual IPL, the fake league managed to get all the way to the quarter-finals before they were sprung by Indian authorities.
Reuters have reported the suspects have been charged with criminal conspiracy and gambling.
It is illegal to bet on cricket in India, with the group accepting bets from Russian punters via the messaging app Telegram.
The fake umpire would then be informed of said bets via a walkie-talkie and tell the batsman to either hit a four or a six, or lose their wicket.
Cricket fans on social media were amused when the story broke.
I don’t think it’s possible for there to be a better story than the fake IPL. Anything any journalist ever writes from here on out won’t even go close. It’s over.
— Vince Rugari (@VinceRugari) July 11, 2022
Here it is, the moment you’ve all been waiting for….
Footage of the Fake IPL, which somehow conned people in Russia into betting on it.
‘Chennai Fighters’ off to a solid start, pitch looking in good condition. pic.twitter.com/XtaL5W5zli— Jordan Elgott (@JElgott) July 11, 2022
I won't lie. I'm awfully proud of these guys. Would've been The Perfect Crime if not caught. This immediately needs to be made into a movie.
Free these Heroes because Fake IPL rules. I back Chennai Fighters. https://t.co/LgAIWHjOUS— Harsh (@NaMoStadium) July 11, 2022
The fake IPL story is fantastic isn't it
— James Booth (@MUFCBoothy) July 11, 2022
India rout England to take T20 series
Meanwhile, in an officially sanctioned match featuring Indian players, the visitors rolled England by 49 runs in the second Twenty20 at Edgbaston and take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar (3-15) rocked England early in their pursuit of 171 on Saturday, removing Jason Roy with the first ball and then captain Jos Buttler, before Yuzvendra Chahal (2-10) chipped in with two wickets to leave the home side struggling on 5-55.
Moeen Ali (35) and David Willey (33) kept England afloat with entertaining cameos but a flurry of wickets meant that they were bowled out for 121 in 17 overs.
Earlier, India's bold new approach to T20 cricket was on show again after they were put in to bat as Rohit Sharma and Rishabh Pant got stuck into the England attack from the outset, accumulating 61 runs in the powerplay.
But that early momentum was halted by paceman Richard Gleeson (3-15), who revelled in a dream debut by claiming the prized scalps of Rohit (31), Virat Kohli (1) and Pant (26) in the space of four balls.
Suryakumar Yadav (15) and Hardik Pandya (12) also departed early, both falling to Chris Jordan (4-27), as England mounted a strong recovery before a 29-ball 46 from Ravindra Jadeja helped India finish on an imposing 8-170.
The teams play one more game at Trent Bridge on Sunday.
With AAP
Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.