Suspended Pune pitch curator Pandurang Salgaonkar victim of professional rivalry?

Mumbai: Former India fast bowler and pitch curator Pandurang Salgaonkar may be the victim of the professional rivalry, according to the BCCI sources.

The 68-year-old curator was suspended hours before the second ODI between India and New Zealand on 25th October. This was following the sting operation in which it was revealed that he had leaked the pitch information.

"According to us, he is innocent and was framed by some professional rivals," a top BCCI official said on condition of anonymity.

Abhay Apte, the president of the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) did not wish to comment on the issue when approached in Kolkata. Apte along with other BCCI officials was scheduled to attend the first lecture on late Jagmohan Dalmiya.

The two ICC officials Steve Richardson and Collins, who were in Delhi to investigate further in the matter met the two investigative reporters, who were responsible for the sting operation.

A final report will be prepared by the reporters once a final decision is taken on the Salgaonkar, who has been temporarily suspended as of now.

Interestingly, the two ICC sleuths didn't involve any BCCI official in this visit, it is learnt.

"The ICC had no legal status to forcefully investigate the sting operators. However, the operators did co-operate," the BCCI source added further.