Troubled waters: 5 occasions when IPL franchises created controversies

In its 12-year history, the IPL has provided the fans with nail-biting thrillers, explosive batting shows and match-winning bowling spells. Due to the cut-throat competition in the league, the IPL always gets the best out of any player. The tournament is now regarded as a stepping stone for any prolific youngster who wants to make it to the national squad. However, along with its extravaganza and grandeur, the IPL also has had a fair share of controversies.

Over the years, the cash-rich league has hogged the headlines for a few controversial instances. The 2013 spot-fixing scandal was a huge shock for cricket fans. It even led to the two franchises Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and the Rajasthan Royals (RR) being suspended for two years.

Here are five such instances when IPL franchises were involved in controversies:

1. Gurunath Meiyappan’s involvement in betting in IPL 2013

The spot-fixing in the 2013 IPL made headlines everywhere. Three Rajasthan Royals players – S Sreesanth, Ankeet Chavan and Ajit Chandila were arrested for their involvement. During the investigation, CSK team owner N Srinivasan’s son-in-law Gurunath Meiyappan’s name also came forward. Meiyappan was accused of betting and passing the team information to the bookies. In 2014, he was also found guilty of the same but CSK denied his role with the franchise.

However, he was always spotted with the CSK side and it was deemed as the franchise’s mistake. This led to the suspension of the team. Similarly, Rajasthan Royals also had to face the suspension after their co-owners Shilpa Shetty and Raj Kundra were reportedly accused of betting.

2. Pune Warriors pulling out 1 hour before auction

Pune Warriors franchise owner Sahara was involved in a controversy after pulling out on the day of IPL 2012 auction due to financial differences with the BCCI. The relationship between Sahara and the Indian board turned sour after this incident and the franchise even pulled out of the IPL soon after the 2013 edition.

Sahara had bought the Pune franchise for a staggering INR 1702 crore in 2010. However, the management had requested the BCCI to recalculate the franchise fee as the league matches per team reduced from 18 to 16. After the Kochi Tuskers Kerala were terminated from the IPL, each team only had to play 16 matches instead of 18.

3. Preity Zinta accusing Ness Wadia of abuse and threats

Kings XI Punjab co-owner and Bollywood star Preity Zinta is one of the most famous personalities involved with the league. She had also grabbed the headlines in 2013 after filing a complaint against KXIP co-owner Ness Wadia accusing him of threats and abuse.

Preity also submitted four photographs to the police to support which showed bruise marks on her right arms. The incident reportedly had happened during an encounter between KXIP and CSK at the Wankhede stadium. Ness was allegedly abusing the team staff over the ticket distribution issue when he had an altercation with Preity.

4. Shah Rukh Khan’s brawl with a security guard at Wankhede

Shahrukh Khan’s rage at Wankhede probably takes the cake as the father of all IPL controversies. Bollywood superstar and KKR co-owner Shahrukh Khan was all over the news after his brawl with a security guard at the Wankhede stadium after the IPL 2012 match between MI and KKR.

Shahrukh allegedly abused the MCA officials and even pushed the security guard during the altercation. In his defence, the Bollywood star claimed that the security guards pushed his daughter Suhana and the other kids. Furthermore, he even sought an apology for his inappropriate behaviour. As a consequence, the actor was banned from entering the stadium premises for five years.

5. MS Dhoni’s tiff with Rising Pune Supergiant

MS Dhoni, regarded as one of the best skippers of the game, was an integral part of the CSK squad since IPL’s inception. However, following CSK’s two-year suspension, the Ranchi stalwart moved his base to the Rising Pune Supergiant. RPS even named him the skipper of the side for the IPL 2016.

However, RPS failed to qualify for the playoffs or the knockouts with Dhoni at the helm. This led to Dhoni’s axe from captaincy and RPS fans were left fuming by the franchise’s decision. To make things worse, Harsh Goenka, brother of the actual owner of the franchise took multiple digs at Dhoni’s batting on Twitter.