British scribe's accreditation cancelled

Only two days after two persons breached security at the England dressing room by posing as photographers, a 21-year-old UK resident of Indian origin, Rajeev Mulchandani, was caught masquerading as a journalist.

It is believed that Mulchandani is a professional punter, from betfair.com, and was at the ground to collect first-hand information on the second Test between India and England at the Punjab Cricket Association stadium in Mohali.

"He had been calling me up from London for three days before the match," said media manager G S Walia, who authorised the media accreditations in Mohali.

When Mulchandani was probed by a couple of journalists in the press box on Saturday, he first evaded questions, but gave the impression that he was "from the Independent". On further questioning, he said he had come to cover the England tour as a freelance reporter.

"He didn't have an official letter from the organization but showed his identity card. He requested me to give the pass since he had also missed the Nagpur Test," said Walia.

"On the day before the match he landed up. So, out of sympathy, I gave him the accreditation."

But on Sunday it came to light that the 21-year-old didn't belong to any media organization in England.

After the PCA came to know that he wasn't a genuine journalist, they confiscated the media pass.

Betting on cricket matches is legal in England and has a market worth almost Rs 3,000-crore there.