Maninder Singh Questioned Over Cocaine Seizure

[king singh]

Maninder Singh, the former Indian left-arm spinner, is being questioned by the Delhi police in connection with the alleged possession of cocaine. The narcotics branch of the Delhi police brought in Maninder for questioning after allegedly finding approximately 1.5 grammes of cocaine in his residence, an offence under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.

The police were said to be following a man, believed to be a Nigerian national, who was allegedly selling Maninder the drugs.

The amount allegedly found in Singh's residence is less than a "commercial quantity" and puts any possible case in the category of possession of a banned substance for personal use, thereby increasing his chances of being granted bail if arrested.

Maninder, who played 35 Tests for India between 1982 and 1993, surged into prominence when only 17 years old. His prodigious talent prompted comparisons to Bishan Bedi, but consistency was to elude Maninder. He enjoyed tremendous success on India's tour of England in 1986, and then picked up a bagful of wickets against Pakistan and Sri Lanka at home, but soon after the wheels came off. Maninder had problems with discipline, lost the loop and control that were his strengths and was dropped from the team. He attempted more than one comeback but met with limited success.

Since retiring from cricket Maninder has been involved with the game as a coach in Delhi, where he lives, and as a television commentator. While Maninder is often remembered as a cricketer who promised much and lost his way, the one thing that he is most famous for was being the last Indian victim - given out lbw to Greg Matthews by umpire Vikram Raju - in the tied Test against Australia at Chennai in 1986-87.

Chetan Chauhan, the former India opener and Maninder's Delhi team-mate, told Indian news channel Aaj Tak: "I am completely surprised. I have played with him for Delhi, for two or three seasons. I had no inkling of any previous instances involving him. I can't believe this. "

Cricinfo

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