Gautam Gambhir fires salvo at BCCI, CoA and CAB after Azharuddin rings bell at the Eden Gardens

Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir on November 5 has slammed the BCCI, Committee of Administrators and Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) for allowing ex-Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin to ring the bell before the start of the first T20I between India and West Indies at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Sunday.

Azhar who featured in 99 Tests and 334 ODIs for India till his name came up in the 2000 match-fixing scandal was subsequently banned for life by the BCCI. But after the veteran appealed the decision in the Andhra High Court, the ban was lifted citing the punishment as 'unsustainable'. However, it seems that Gambhir is not willing to accept that Azhar is innocent and therefore he vented his frustration on Twitter after seeing the former signal the start of the match at Kolkata Knight Riders' home ground.

The Delhi batsman wrote: 'India may have won today at Eden but I am sorry @bcci, CoA &CAB lost. Looks like the No Tolerance Policy  against Corrupt takes a leave on Sundays! I know he was allowed to contest HCA polls but then this is shocking....The bell is ringing, hope the powers that be are listening.'

Since his ban was lifted by the Hon'ble Court Azhar has also contested in the country's general elections along with an unsuccessful attempt at contesting Hyderabad Cricket Association. The BCCI later announced that he was free to contest polls for posts of the Board, ICC or any other affiliates.