IPL: 3 Biggest controversies in the league’s history

The Indian Premier League (IPL), known as the world’s most competitive cricketing league, provides an ideal platform for young talent to prove their worth and make it to the highest level of the game.

At the same time, experienced cricketers use this opportunity to redeem their careers, simultaneously giving their experience and wisdom to the young and upcoming talent, which makes the cash-rich league unique.

While the league has its thrilling and nail-biting moments every season, there were a few moments that caught the spotlight, turning out to be big controversies. On that note, let’s take a look at the three biggest controversies in IPL history.

3 Biggest controversies in IPL history

1. IPL fixing scandal in 2013

So far in the league’s history, the IPL 2013 spot-fixing scandal holds the top spot among the biggest controversies, which startled the league and its fans. Interestingly, the controversy had a few players involved, along with bookies and IPL franchise officials. 

During IPL 2013, Delhi Police arrested three Rajasthan Royals cricketers, Sreesanth, Ajit Chandila, and Ankeet Chavan, on the charges of alleged spot-fixing. Also, the Mumbai Police arrested CSK Team Principal Gurunath Meiyappan for alleged betting.

Later in July 2015, the Lodha Committee suspended the owners of Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals for two years. Consequently, both IPL franchises got suspended for two years between 2015 and 2016.

Moreover, Sreesanth, Chandila, and Chavan were cleared of all the charges by the Patiala House Courts. In March 2019, the Supreme Court lifted the life ban imposed by the BCCI on Sreesanth. Though Chandila was given a life ban across formats by the BCCI, it was lifted later in February 2023.

2. Harbhajan Singh slaps Sreesanth

This controversy dates back to the inaugural IPL season in 2008, when Mumbai Indians captain and spinner Harbhajan Singh slapped Kings XI Punjab pacer Sreesanth on the field after the conclusion of the match.

Moving into the details of the incident, Sreesanth was seen chirping at MI batters throughout the game. However, after KXIP bagged a win, Sreesanth went on to shake hands with MI players. That was the moment when Bhajji, in frustration, slapped Sreesanth on his face.

While Sreesanth was seen in tears on the big screen, Harbhajan was suspended for the remainder of the season. Nevertheless, the duo patched up a few years later, settling things between them.

3. Shah Rukh Khan vs Wankhede security

The third biggest controversy of the league happened in 2012. The controversial incident involved the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) owner and Bollywood Baadshah Shah Rukh Khan with the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA).

The MCA accused SRK of entering the field in a drunken state, misbehaving with the security personnel named Vikas Dalvi after the match. Moreover, the Superstar also questioned the guard and was involved in an altercation as they didn’t allow him to enter the team’s dressing room.

Eventually, MCA banned SRK from entering Wankhede Stadium for five years. However, the ban was later lifted in 2015. He thanked the association for showing "graciousness" in lifting the ban.

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