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India Captain Suryakumar Yadav BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia with Mumbai Police. Image Credits: AFP
A former Mumbai player has found himself as an accused for his alleged role in the black marketing of tickets in the recently concluded T20 World Cup 2026. The T20 World Cup 2026 began on February 7 and ended on March 8.
The T20 World Cup 2026 was the second time India hosted the ICC event, along with Sri Lanka as the co-host. India qualified for the Super 8s stage undefeated in the group stages, including a huge win over Pakistan. Then India lost to South Africa in the Super 8s and only managed to qualify for the semifinals after defeating Zimbabwe and the West Indies.
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In the semis, India defeated England in a closely fought encounter despite scoring over 250 runs batting first. India met New Zealand in the final in Ahmedabad on March 8 and defeated them by 96 runs after making 255/5 in 20 overs batting first and became the first team to win the T20 World Cup for the third time.
Former Mumbai U19 player arrested in T20 World Cup ticket black marketing
In shocking news, a former Mumbai U19 player, Balwant Singh Swaroop Singh Sodha, has been arrested by Mumbai police. He has been accused of allegedly selling the tickets of the T20 World Cup 2026 semi-final between India and England at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai at inflated prices.
The seventh defendant in the case is 26-year-old Sodha. According to the police, his cell phone has been confiscated, and its data is being examined in order to track down the origin of the tickets and find more connections within the scheme.
The Mumbai Cricket Association has received a letter from the police requesting information about the distribution of the 24 tickets they have already confiscated. Investigators claim that Sodha sold two tickets for Rs 25,000 apiece, but he hasn't revealed how he got them.
"According to investigators, Sodha allegedly sold two tickets priced at Rs 25,000 each but has not disclosed how he procured them. We are examining his call data records to trace further links,” an officer was quoted as saying by Indian Express.
How did the Mumbai police crack the case?
Police were first made aware of the matter after receiving a tip that a man named Aditya Raorane was selling tickets at exorbitant prices. When Raorane agreed to sell two tickets for Rs 25,000 each at a coffee shop in Vile Parle, investigators pretended to be customers and arrested him.
Raorane admitted to police upon questioning that he had obtained the tickets from Siddharth Sabhapati. He was then asked by the police to get in touch with Sabhapati for additional tickets.
According to reports, Sabhapati supplied two more tickets via Meghan Sandesh Pradhan, another accomplice who was also taken into custody at the same spot. This operation resulted in the seizure of four tickets.
Court places Mumbai cricketer in detention
Balwant Singh Swaroop Singh Sodha, the ex-Mumbai U19 cricketer, is the seventh accused in the case, and the police revealed that they seized his mobile phone and they’re analyzing its data to trace the source of the ticket and find other linked persons.
After appearing in court, Sodha was placed under police detention for a day before being transferred to judicial custody. Since then, bail has been granted to him.
According to police, the suspects were involved in a plot to resell free and heavily discounted tickets from the Mumbai Cricket Association at exorbitant costs. A complaint has been filed in accordance with pertinent provisions of the Maharashtra Police Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
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