Indian Cricket in Spotlight as star player summoned by ED amid Online Gaming Bill controversy

Indian star cricketer Shikhar Dhawan went to the Enforcement Directorate's office in connection with an online betting app case. ED summoned Dhawan to conduct a probe into the matter, which related to a betting app, which is not legal.

The allegation against Dhawan is that he might have been linked to the app through certain endorsements. According to media reports, ED wants to understand the mode of the possible links. Through questioning the 39-year-old, the investigators tried to find the relationship between Dhawan and the app named 1xBet.

It is known that the probe agency will record his statement under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) as part of this investigation. The agency is probing multiple such cases involving illegal betting apps that are alleged to have duped numerous people and investors of crores of rupees or to have evaded a huge amount of taxes. The Central Government of India has clarified their stance about betting apps or real-money-deal online games.

Read More: United Arab Emirates T20I Tri-Series 2025 , Match 5: Pakistan vs UAE, Toss update and Playing XI

Several other celebrities also under scanner 

Last month, ED had summoned former India international Suresh Raina to record his statement under provisions of the PMLA as well. After an initial investigation, it is understood that violations of multiple laws, including the Technology Act, the Foreign Exchange Management Act, and the PMLA, are possible. According to various media reports, celebrities like Vijay Deverakonda, Rana Daggubati, Prakash Raj, Harbhajan Singh, Urvashi Rautela, and Suresh Raina have been under the scanner by the ED for promoting such illegal apps. 

Now, if we discuss Dhawan's international career, the opener played 269 matches for Team India and scored 10,867 in total. As a major achievement, he won the Champions Trophy title for Men in Blue in 2014.