Rajasthan Royals captain Rahul Dravid was “shocked” and “distressed” after three of his players, including pacer S Sreesanth, were arrested for their alleged involvement in spot-fixing in the ongoing IPL.

“I am shocked, disappointed and distressed by the events that have resulted in the arrests last night and this morning,” Dravid said here today on the eve of their match against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

“Rajasthan Royals is a special team, where we have always operated like a family — so this is particularly devastating.”

A special cell of the Delhi police arrested Sreesanth and his teammates — Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan — along with seven bookies last night after their team’s IPL match against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai.

The cricketers and bookies have been charged under sections 420 (cheating) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code and are being flown in to Delhi for further questioning.

Insisting that the BCCI and Rajasthan Royals team management have zero tolerance towards corruption in the game, Dravid hoped the Jaipur-outfit would come out stronger in this time of adversity.

“Spot fixing and corruption have hung over the game of cricket, and I know that the BCCI and RR (Rajasthan Royals) take the same zero tolerance view of the situation. The RR owners and management have made their zero tolerance views clear on every possible occasion, and I am sure that they will support any action taken.

“For me, as a captain and leader, I have to focus on ensuring that the team fulfil their enormous potential and continue to play in the ‘Rajasthan Royals’ way. Our players are devastated that our performances may have been affected, as they have a desire to win that has been evident throughout the tournament,” he said.

“I hope that our fans get behind us even more, and that we become stronger as a unit — which often happens in times of adversity,” Dravid added.

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