Indian bookie laid 'Honey Trap' during ICL in 2008: Vincent

July 3, 2014

Lou VincentWellington, Jul 3: Banned for life for match-fixing, disgraced New Zealand cricketer Lou Vincent revealed how an ''Indian bookie'' posing as a sports equipment sponsor laid 'honey Trap' for him during the now defunct Indian Cricket League (ICL) back in 2008.

In interviews to New Zealand radip channels 'Newstalk ZB and Radio Sport', Vincent revealed how he was taken aback to find that his "hero" was involved in fixing and how he was unable to refuse him from taking part in the 'big fix'.

"I looked at ICL as a great way to get away from New Zealand, take the family and live overseas. And it was good money. Throughout our NZ career, we got proper education regarding bookie approaches. Here I go to ICL and I was trying to get comfortable, trying to get excited playing with new team," Vincent said.

"Then the phone rings. Happens all the time when you are in India. On other end of the phone was an Indian guy, who wanted me to use his (sports) gear. His batting equipment and I said "yeah I will be interested.

Vincent then revealed how different he felt as he walked into the hotel room of this so-called bat manufacturer from the ones he had visited on earlier tours.

"It has happened before on other tours as well, where you walk into the room and see all the equipment spread across and you pick up bits and pieces. You then negotiate a deal and come out saying 'thank you'.

"But here, I walk into the room and see there was nothing there. A young gentleman was sitting and a lady whom I thought at that point was his wife at the end of the bed," the former right-hander said.

So she wasn't his wife, the RJ questioned, to which Vincent replied, "No she wasn't. She was the 'Honey Trap'. It took me about half an hour to realize that. As I was speaking to him, I asked him where's the gear and he said that it was at the Conceirge (hotel lobby).

"Then, when I tried to go to the bathroom and he put his foot on the door and said that that she (lady in question) is gift to you from our company. That's when the penny drops. This looks a bit dodgy. I declined," Vincent stated.

"Then (the man) he drops in a big wad of cash, about 15 grands in US dollars and says that's the downpayment for sponsorship for you. Our business and sponsorship is for life. That's when I realized that I got to get out of the situation. and leave the money with him," the 35-year-old Vincent said.

"Only way to leave the money was to put it in the safe with my coat in his room. Then I walked down to meet my agent, who had come over from New Zealand, helping set up ICL. I explained what has happened and I believe from there the tournament directors were notified."

Vincent said that his immediate reaction was to share his experience with his "hero" as he knocked on his door.

"I told him that this is what has happened. I have just been approached and I told him that I have reported the matter to my agent and all has been taken care of. There was an eerie silence.

"He (the hero) took a deep breath and I can't forget the face. He then said, "That's a good cover as you are working for me. And that's how my life changed," said Vincent, who played 23 Tests, 102 ODIs and 9 T20 Internationals for the 'Black Caps'.

When the RJ asked as to why he didn't refuse his (the hero) offer, Vincent sounded helpless, "I couldn't say "No". This guy was my hero and he took me under his wing. I was so empowered by him. His aura as a legend and the honour of playing cricket with him. It was like "Yes Sir"."

Vincent also admitted that he couldn't take his "hero's name due to legal reasons.

"He (the hero) is not my friend and not my hero any more."

But Vincent said that he doesn't hate the person any more.

"No I don't (hate). I have learnt to forgive. That is a powerful tool actually to deal with pain and stress. To be able to accept that bad things can happen and you need to accept, forgive and move on."

Vincent also revealed how for the first time, he had ruined the fix as he was supposed to get out early and earned his "hero's" wrath.

"This guy (the hero) walking with a bat above my head pacing up and down in the hotel room, spitting and fuming. He told me that (ruining the fix) it cost him not 23,000 USD but millions. I was broken. I said "My God. May be he is thinking that I am working for someone else."

"The 4-5 whatever we have done (fixed), he owes me lot of money. About 250,000 USD and that's all gone. I have disgraced the game, in front of crowds and on TV with fellow Indian players. That's horrendous."

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News Network
March 27,2020

New Delhi, Mar 27: India skipper Virat Kohli on Friday made a heartfelt appeal to the citizens of the country, asking them to follow social distancing as a precautionary measure against the coronavirus pandemic.
He also went on to say that over the past few days, he has seen some people still taking to the streets, and added that if people still continue to venture out, then they are not being honest with the country.
Kohli released a small video clip on Twitter, making the public appeal and captioned the post as: "Please wake up to the reality and seriousness of the situation and take responsibility. The nation needs our support and honesty"
"Today, I am talking to you as a citizen of the country. Whatever I have seen over the past few days, I have seen people not following the lockdown, it has made me feel that some people are taking the battle against COVID-19 very lightly. I request you all to please follow social distancing, whatever the government is asking you to do, please follow it," Kohli said in the video released on Twitter.
"Think about what can happen to your family members because of your negligence. Our medical experts are fighting this battle day in and day out. If you are still going out to the streets, then I don't think you are being honest to your country," he added.
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi decided to impose a 21-day lockdown in the country as a precautionary measure against coronavirus.
According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the total number of COVID-19 positive cases have risen to 724 in India (including 640 active cases, 66 cured or discharged people) and 17 deaths.
The World Health Organisation had termed the coronavirus outbreak as a pandemic on March 11. 

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News Network
May 9,2020

May 9: Indian cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar has donated an undisclosed amount to financially help 4,000 underprivileged people, including children from Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) schools, amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Tendulkar made the donation to the Hi5 Foundation, a non-profit organisation based out of Mumbai.

“Best wishes to team Hi5 for your efforts in supporting families of daily wage earners,” Tendulkar tweeted.

The organisation, through a tweet, thanked Tendulkar for doing his bit for the needy.

“Thanks @sachin_rt for proving once again that #sports encourages compassion! Your generous donation towards our #COVID19 fund enables us to financially aid 4000 underprivileged people, including children from @mybmc schools. Our budding sportspersons thank you, Little Master!”

The legendary batsman had earlier contributed Rs 25 lakh each to Prime Minister’s Relief Fund and Chief Minister’s Relief Fund for the country’s fight against COVID-19. Tendulkar had earlier pledged to bear the cost of feeding 5,000 people for a month in a couple of areas in Mumbai.

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Agencies
February 5,2020

Hamilton, Feb 5: Ross Taylor and Tom Latham played knocks of 109 and 69, respectively, as New Zealand defeated India by four wickets in the first ODI of the three-match series here at the Seddon Park on Wednesday.

Chasing 348, New Zealand got off to a steady start as openers Martin Guptill and Henry Nicholls put on 85 runs for the first wicket, however, India finally got the breakthrough in the 16th over as Shardul Thakur dismissed Guptill (32).

Tom Blundell and Nicholls then put on 24 runs for the second wicket, but their vigil came to an end in the 20th over as Kuldeep Yadav had Blundell (9) stumped at the hands of wicket-keeper KL Rahul, reducing Kiwis to 109/2.

Nicholls then retrieved the innings for the hosts as he found support in Ross Taylor. The duo mixed caution with aggression to stitch together a partnership of 62 runs. But with their back against the wall, skipper Kohli lifted the side up as he ran out Nicholls (78) in the 29th over, reducing New Zealand to 171/3.

Skipper Tom Latham, came out to bat next, and he increased the tempo of the Kiwi innings. He took a special liking to Kuldeep and kept on sweeping him to pick easy boundaries on the legside.

Taylor and Latham put on a stand of 138 runs to take Kiwis closer to victory. But with 39 runs away from the target, Kuldeep dismissed Latham (69) to revive India's hopes of making a comeback.

Mohammed Shami removed Jimmy Neesham (9) in the 46th over while Colin de Grandhomme (1) was sent packing via a run-out to send cat among the pigeons in the Kiwi camp. In the end, Mitchell Santner and Taylor took the hosts over the line by four wickets and with 11 balls to spare.

Earlier, Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul's knocks of 103 and 88, respectively, helped India post 347/4 in the allotted twenty overs.

After being put in to bat, India got off to a quickfire start as openers Prithvi Shaw and Mayank Agarwal put on 50 runs. Colin de Grandhomme finally provided the breakthrough to the Kiwis as he sent Shaw (20) back to the pavilion in the eighth over.

Agarwal (32) was also dismissed soon after by Tim Southee and the Men in Blue were reduced to 54/2 in the ninth over.

Skipper Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer then retrieved the innings for the visitors as the duo put on 102 runs for the third wicket. Kohli brought up his 58th half-century in the 28th over.

Ish Sodhi got the crucial breakthrough of Kohli (51) in the 29th over as he clean bowled him to reduce India to 156/3. However, Iyer continued to march on and brought up his maiden ODI century in the 43rd over.

KL Rahul, who came in to bat at number five provided the much-needed impetus to the innings. He along with Iyer put on a stand of 136 runs for the fourth wicket.

Iyer (103) was finally sent back to the pavilion by Southee in the 46th over, reducing India to 292/4.

In the final overs, Rahul and Kedar Jadhav hammered the Kiwi players to take India's score past the 340-run mark. Jadhav remained unbeaten on 26.

Brief Scores: New Zealand 348/6 (Ross Taylor 109*, Henry Nicholls 78, Kuldeep Yadav 2-84) defeat India 347/4 (Shreyas Iyer 103, KL Rahul 88*, Tim Southee 2-85) by four wickets.

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