The IPL has been plagued by match-fixing scandals, prompting suspensions and heightened scrutiny. The most controversial team in IPL history has faced significant allegations, leading to stricter regulations to ensure fairness and integrity.
Notable Match-Fixing Scandals That Made Headlines
2013: IPL Season
Controversies and match-fixing accusations marred the season, resulting in the suspension of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Rajasthan Royals (RR). While allegations implicated players and CSK’s owner, no court conclusively proved these teams guilty of match-fixing or spot-fixing.
2018: IPL Season
The Indian Premier League (IPL) has faced challenges with match-fixing and bookie scandals. Although the Supreme Court initially banned three players, including Sreesanth, these bans were later lifted due to lack of evidence. These incidents spurred the IPL Governing Body to enforce stricter measures, aiming to preserve the league’s integrity and popularity.
Impact of Match-Fixing Scandals on IPL Teams
In the wake of match-fixing scandals, both Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) received two-season suspensions from the IPL, barring them from the high-stakes tournament. This decision shocked fans worldwide, prompting questions about the reasons behind their exclusion from the lucrative league.
Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings Banned for Two Years Over Match-Fixing Scandal in 2016 and 2017 Seasons
The 2013 IPL season was tainted by an illegal betting scandal involving Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Rajasthan Royals (RR), with key figures Gurunath Meiyappan of CSK and Raj Kundra of RR implicated. As a result, both teams received a two-year ban and were temporarily replaced by Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS) and Gujarat Lions. After serving their suspension, CSK and RR returned to the league, while RPS and Gujarat Lions were disbanded.
IPL 2024: Match Fixing Status
In IPL 2024, the BCCI’s Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) actively tackled match-fixing concerns, arresting bookies at two Rajasthan Royals’ venues. This highlights the ACU’s commitment to maintaining the league’s integrity and preventing corruption in the tournament.
Statements from Top Players on IPL Match-fixing Scandals
Following bans and scrutiny from match-fixing controversies, team owners and players have often addressed the issue publicly. Here are notable statements from top players reflecting their stance on these scandals.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni
In 2019, Dhoni shared that CSK’s suspension was one of the most challenging periods of his career, admitting it left him feeling deeply distressed. He remarked that match-fixing requires complicity from a significant number of players, underscoring the complexity of such scandals.
Rajasthan Royals
In response to match-fixing allegations, Rajasthan Royals promptly suspended all involved players, stating, “We must act decisively to maintain fairness in the league. Our actions reflect our commitment to an honest IPL, upholding the sport’s integrity and ensuring accountability for those responsible.”
Match-Fixing Scandals That Shadow IPL History
| Year | Event | Details |
| 2013 | Spot-fixing Scandal | 3 RR Players (Sreesanth, Ajit Chandila, and Ankeet Chavan) were arrested for spot-fixing. |
| 2013 | Spot-fixing Scandal | Fallout-7-year ban for players (reduced by Supreme Court) lifetime ban for Chandila. |
| 2015 | CSK & RR Banned | CSK & RR were suspended for 2 years due to illegal betting by team officials. |
| 2012 | Sting Operation | Uncapped Players caught soliciting spot-fixing during an undercover operation. |
| 2012 | Sting Operation | Fallout-League investigates corruption, black money payments, and undercover operations. |
| 2019 | Arrests based on Pakistani tip | Arrests highlight the ongoing threat of match-fixing. |