Former Indian all-rounder Manoj Prabhakar alleged widespread fixing in Indian cricket and claimed Kapil Dev had offered him money to underperform, triggering a major investigation.
Manoj Prabhakar became one of the first cricketers to publicly allege match fixing in Indian cricket, making claims in 1997 that sent shockwaves through the cricketing establishment. He alleged that a fellow Indian cricketer had offered him money to underperform during a 1994 match against Pakistan in Sri Lanka, later identifying that player as Kapil Dev.
The allegations against Kapil Dev, India's greatest all-rounder and 1983 World Cup-winning captain, were explosive. The CBI investigation that followed in 2000 examined these claims but ultimately gave Kapil Dev a clean chit, finding insufficient evidence to support Prabhakar's allegations. Kapil Dev was deeply hurt by the allegations and briefly resigned as the Indian coach.
However, in a twist of irony, the CBI investigation also found evidence against Prabhakar himself. He was accused of being involved with bookmakers and was subsequently banned for five years by the BCCI. The whistleblower had become the accused.
The Prabhakar episode highlighted the murky world of cricket fixing in the 1990s, where allegations and counter-allegations flew freely, and the lines between whistleblowers and participants were often blurred. It also showed how deeply match fixing had penetrated Indian cricket during that era.
Prabhakar was banned for five years by the BCCI. His allegations against Kapil Dev were not substantiated by the CBI.
Cricket Canada
12 May 2026
ICC suspended six months of funding to Cricket Canada over governance failures and financial misreporting — 63% of their total revenue.
Multiple franchises
8 May 2026
The IPL's Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) submitted a formal report to the BCCI in May 2026 flagging "certain anomalies" observed across the league stage: unauthorised persons had been seen in the team dugout, on the team bus, and at team hotels during IPL matches in apparent breach of anti-corruption Standard Operating Procedures. IPL chairman Arun Dhumal confirmed the report publicly and warned that "very stringent action" would be taken if violations continued. Separately, the BCCI tightened protocols after reports that certain franchise owners had been seen mingling with players in restricted areas — a specific interaction prohibited under the anti-corruption framework.
Various county sides
1865-08-01
Despite MCC's attempts to reduce gambling on cricket through the 1840s and 1850s, county cricket in the 1860s still operated in a culture where betting was widespread and where allegations of arranged results circulated freely among those closest to the game. Several county fixtures of the decade generated suspicion among contemporaries that the outcome had been agreed in advance, though the absence of formal investigation meant that no players were ever charged.