Toronto: A major controversy has surfaced in Canadian cricket after a documentary by Canadian Broadcasting Corporation titled “Corruption, Crime & Cricket Canada” alleged links between gang threats and team selection.
The report claims that individuals posing as representatives of the Bishnoi gang allegedly threatened national team players in July 2025 in Surrey. The threats were reportedly aimed at securing support for Indian-origin cricketer Dilpreet Singh Bajwa’s rapid elevation to captaincy.
Bajwa, originally from Batala in Punjab, moved to Canada in 2020 and was unexpectedly appointed captain just weeks before the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, a decision that reportedly surprised selectors, coaches and senior players.
The documentary, along with international media reports, further revealed that the International Cricket Council Anti-Corruption Unit is probing Bajwa over a suspicious over bowled during a match against New Zealand national cricket team in Chennai. In that over, he delivered a no-ball, a wide and conceded 15 runs, raising red flags.
Reports suggest that ICC officials questioned Bajwa and examined his phone as part of the investigation.
Meanwhile, Canadian law enforcement, including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, is probing related incidents such as shootings, death threats and alleged interference in Delta.
Sources cited in the documentary claim that intimidation was used to protect positions of certain players, including Bajwa. However, former officials of Cricket Canada have denied knowledge of such threats, even as the board faces broader allegations of poor governance and external interference.
Investigations by the ICC, Canadian police and Cricket Canada are ongoing, and no formal charges have been filed so far.
