Read Hansie Cronje's journey from stardom to ignominy, to death

New Delhi: On 7th April 2000, cricket lovers were shocked when they read in newspapers that South African skipper Hansie Cronje was involved in a matchfixing scandal. Hansie Cronje was South African skipper in the 90's and one of the favourite cricketers of that time. He was so popular in South Africa, that despite facing a life ban from professional cricket he was voted as the 11th greatest South African player in 2004. On 7th April 2000, Delhi Police disclosed to the media that they had recorded conversation between Cronje and Sanjay Chawla, a bookmaker, while trying to fix a cricket match. Three other South African players were named in that revelation. The King Commision of Inquiry was set up by South African cricket board and Cronje was found guilty of fixing matches in India in return for huge amounts in dollars. In the revelation by Delhi Police, the conversation was about who is playing and who is not, who is in on the "deal", the amount alleged to be paid to Cronje and his team-mates Herschelle Gibbs, Pieter Strydom and Nicky Boje. Cronje initially denied any involvement.In a press conference on 9th of April, Cronje said,"I want to make it 100% clear that I deny ever receiving any sum of money during the one-day international series in India. I want to also make it absolutely clear I have never spoken to any member of the team about throwing a game." But two days after his denial, Cronje confessed to his involvement during the India tour. He told the enquiry commision that the then Indian skipper Azharuddin introduced him to bookmakers. Azhar denied this charge. Azharuddin is now a Congress MP from Moradabad. On June 8 2000, Herschelle Gibbs effectively sealed Cronje's fate, confessing he had accepted an offer from his former captain to make less than 20 runs in a one-day match in India earlier in the year in exchange for $15,000. After the confessions of Cronje and his teammates in the scandal, on October 11, 2000, the UCBSA imposed a life ban on Cronje. Cronje said in his confession that his love for money overshadowed his love for the game and team mates. On June 1 2002, disgraced former Proteas skipper Hansie Cronje 32 died in an air crash.