Thursday, October 5 2006 15:27 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: "South African batsman Herschelle Gibbs is likely to be questioned by Indian police over a 2000 match-fixing scandal during the Champion's Trophy which starts Saturday," officials said.

The 32-year-old, who has played 79 Tests, had admitted accepting money from disgraced former captain Hansie Cronje to score fewer than 20 runs against India in a one-dayer during their 2000 March-April tour.

He subsequently scored 74 runs and said he had 'forgotten' about his deal, but was suspended and fined.

"The case of cheating the public at large is open as none of those named (in the scam) have appeared before us," a senior Delhi police officer handling the case told sources.

"As Gibbs is a co-accused his questioning by us is logical," he said.

Gibbs is scheduled to arrive in Mumbai accompanied by a South African lawyer on October 10, four days after the rest of the South African squad.

Police said if neccessary he could be asked to travel to the Indian capital for questioning. The Delhi city police prosecution department also confirmed the case remains on file against Gibbs, who has previously refused to tour India after failing to obtain assurances he will not be detained.

"We will re-open the case and if some kind of interrogation is required then it will be done," Y.S. Yadav, Director of Prosecution, told sources.

Implicated in the same scandal was Cronje, who admitted involvement on his part and was served with a life ban before dying in a plane crash in 2002.

South Africa, winners of the maiden Champions Trophy in 1998 in Bangladesh, are scheduled to play their first match against New Zealand in Mumbai on October 16.

The International Cricket Council in May said it would do everything possible to ensure Gibbs could tour India without fear of arrest in the match-fixing case.

The Champions Trophy will be held from October 7 to November 5 in Mumbai, Mohali, Ahmedabad and Jaipur.