Indian team management clarifies that no player was involved in any wrongdoing

India’s cricket tour of Zimbabwe was on Sunday (June 19) hit by controversy after an official associated with one of the sponsors of the series was reportedly held in custody for alleged rape even though he pleaded innocence to the charge.

The storm erupted after Zimbabwean media reported that an unnamed Indian cricketer had been arrested on charges of rape. The reports further stated that India’s ambassador to the African nation, R Masakui, had tried to prevent the player’s arrest on Saturday night at a Harare hotel.

However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s team management in Zimbabwe clarified to Cricbuzz that no member of the Indian team contingent was involved in any wrongdoing.

“Regarding media reports of an Indian cricketer being involved in an alleged case of rape in Harare, we have spoken to our Ambassador to Zimbabwe. The report is totally false. No Indian cricketer is involved,” Press Trust of India quoted sources as saying. “An Indian affiliated with one of the sponsors has been arrested. He has also denied the charge and said he is ready for a DNA test to prove his innocence. Our Ambassador is following the matter closely.”

India are currently trailing the Twenty20 International series against Zimbabwe 0-1 after winning the One-Day International series 3-0. The second T20I will be played in Harare on Monday.