Cricketer's coach reveals what could have led to Kolkata Knight Riders player failing dope test
As if the spot fixing saga during IPL VI wasn’t enough to severely dent the credibility of the cash-rich T20 tournament, reports of left-arm medium pacer Pradeep Sangwan, who represented Kolkata Knight Riders, failing a random dope test conducted during the tournament has further hurt Brand IPL.
KKR pacer Pradeep Sangwan being congratulated by his skipper Gautam Gambhir in a 2012 IPL match. Pic/AFP
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PTI yesterday reported that Sangwan’s ‘A’ sample has shown traces of banned substances. The pacer’s ‘B’ sample test is awaited which would provide details of the banned drug.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly informed the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) about the positive dope test. Sangwan is only the second cricketer after Pakistan’s Mohammad Asif to fail a dope test in the IPL.
However, Sangwan’s first coach AN Sharma, who has also coached India batting great Virender Sehwag, revealed how the 22-year-old could have contracted the substances in question.
After learning about the news, Sharma spoke to Sangwan in London where he underwent a shoulder surgery a few days ago.u00a0“I immediately called him up and Pradeep explained to me what had happened. He had acute pain in his shoulder just before the IPL.
The pain was so severe that he had no time to consult or visit the BCCI doctor. So, for immediate relief he saw a local doctor, who gave him an injection. There was instant relief from the pain thereafter and he also managed to play the IPL.
From the looks of it, the injection might have contained some banned substances which were found in his body during the dope test,” Sharma told MiD DAY.
The veteran coach believes Sangwan is innocent. “Usko phasaya gaya hai (He has been framed). He does not even know the ABC of doping. There is no question of Sangwan doing such a thing. This was completely unintentional and accidental. He will prove his innocence. I am confident he will come out clean,” said Sharma.
Like in ICC tournaments, random tests are conducted during the IPL. BCCI have their own anti-doping systems in place after refusing to comply with WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) or the NADA (National Anti-Doping Agency).
Sangwan, who represents Delhi in first-class cricket, has been with KKR for the last two seasons under his statemate Gautam Gambhir’s leadership. Sangwan played only two matches in IPL VI without any success.
Sharma stressed on the need to educate players on seeing only BCCI’s consultants or some other reputed practitioners. “It is the need of the hour. We (coaches) have to start stressing this point to the players to be very vigilant about what they are consuming and where they are getting treated (for their injuries).
It is very important that they understand what substances are being injected into their body during a treatment,” said Sharma.u00a0Meanwhile, the BCCI once again did not care to send out an official press releaseu00a0stating the exact details of the incident.
Who is Sangwan?
>> Was a member of the victorious Indian team at the Under-19 World Cup in Malaysia in 2008.
>> In his Ranji Trophy debut for Delhi in 2007-08 season, Sangwan claimed 33 wickets at an average of 19.24.
>> He took nine wickets in the Ranji final in his debut season to help Delhi clinch the title.
>> Was bought by Delhi Daredevils in the inaugural IPL season in 2008. He played for another two seasons before donning the KKR jersey. u00a0
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