The Indian Premier League is arguably the world’s most famous T20 leagues. It, however, has always been more about controversies and less cricket. Ever since its inception way back in 2008, there has been an abundance of hullabaloo. While cricket no doubt is at the heart of product, controversies knowingly or otherwise helped IPL raise its profile by leaps and bounds. In fact there are lost of controversies that one has lost count of them (three/four controversies every season). So, we at Sportzwiki have compiled top 10 IPL controversies in the last six seasons of the T20 tournament.
10) Ravindra Jadeja banned for one season
Ravindra Jadeja who is currently one of the leading all-rounders in the country back in 2010 was banned from playing in IPL after trying to sign a new contract with another franchise (allegedly Mumbai Indians) without informing his team Rajasthan Royals for whom he had played in earlier season.
9) Sri Lankan Players banned from playing in Chennai
A huge controversy erupted last season when Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, who is eyeing PM post, refused to entertain Sri Lankan players in the IPL matches to be plaed in Chennai. This extreme step was taken in response of the Sri Lankan Tamils issue which dominates Tamil politics. However, the surprising thing was that the all powerful IPL governing council had to agree upon the decision and a total of 13 Sri Lankan players, inlcuding legends like Kumara Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene were not allowed to play in Chennai citing security concerns.
8) Rahul Sharma and Wayne Parnell were caught at “Rave Party”
Two players of Pune Warriors, which is now a defunct franchise, Rahul Sharma and Wayne Parnell were detained for allegedly consuming drugs at a rave party in Mumbai in 2012.
The cricketers, who were found along several other well-known personalities from film and TV industry, were detained, but let off after undergoing narcotic tests.
Both the players, however, denied the claims and pleaded innocence saying, rather bizarrely that “they were at the wrong place at the wrong time.”
In fact Rahul Sharma went on to brag that he would give up cricket if the test results were positive. But in spite the test results were positive for drug use, no disciplinary action was taken against Raul Sharma.
7) Luke Pomersbach molesting an American woman
Australian middle-order batsman, who made his IPL debut for Kings XI Punjab, was touted to be the next big IPL star. In IPL 5 back in 2011, he was bought by the Royal Challengers Bangalore for $50,000, but he has made headlines not for his off the field abilities rather than on it when he was arrested by the Delhi Police for molesting a US woman.
6) Kochi Franchise ousted by BCCI for breach of agreement in ownership pattern
Kochi Tuskers Kerala was shown the door by the BCCI for breaching the terms of agreement and failing to provide provide a new bank guarantee for 2011.
Kochi Tuskers Kerala had a turbulent beginning and an equally turbulent end in the IPL. After a controversial bid into the cash-rich T20 bonanza, which saw union cabinet minister Shashi Tharoor resign his post, the Kochi team failed to carry on. Finally, in September 2011, its contract was terminated by the BCCI for breaching its terms of agreement.
5) Sourav Ganguly shown the door from Kolkata Knight Riders
One of the most emotional controversy in IPL was ouster of Sourav Ganguly, who was skipper of the KKR team during the first three seasons, which enraged dada fans all over India.
KKR’s owner and king Bollywood – Shah Rukh – was condemned for expelling Ganguly from the team. The former Indian captain, though, did find a team in Pune Warriors for the fourth season, much to his delight of Dada fans.
4) Shah Rukh Khan’s big fight at Wankhede
It is now a well-known fact that controversy and Shah Rukh Khan go hand in hand. The 2012 incident involved a brawl with security personnel at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. It is alleged that he hurled abuse at security staff.
As a result, the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) banned Shah Rukh from entering the premises of stadium for next five years. The ban on actor still holds in spite of various eminent political figures appealing to lift ban.
3) Sreesanth-Harbhajan slap gate
The third entry on our list is the infamous slap-gate involving Sreesanth and Harbhajan Singh in the very first season of IPL in 2008.
This incident, shown world over, does not only put IPL in dock but also spirit of game.
2) Lalit Modi sacked as IPl chairman
Former IPL chairman and founder of this cash rich tournament – Lalit Modi was sacked in 2010 after allegations about fraud and mismanagement of funds came to the light. The IPL founder lives in London at present.
1) Spot Fixing controversy
In the last edition of IPL, sport fixing again popped up its ugly head when Delhi Police caught three Indian players – Sreesanth, Ajit Chandila, and Ankeet Chavan were caught spot fixing and were jailed subsequently. Investigations from Mumbai Police then lead to Gurunath Meiyappan’s arrest. Meiyappan is the son-in-law and an alleged owner of CSK.
Some recent investigations from Tamil Nadu police also show that current Indian players Suresh Raina and skipper MS Dhoni are believed to have contacts with bookies. A lot more will unfold in due course of time.
