5 IPL Controversies: When BCCI had to deal with off-pitch fireworks

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is a cash-rich league which promises a fiery fest for all the avaricious cricket fans. Power-packed with adventure, glamour and excitement; the road for this BCCI’s prodigal child has remained a bit of prickly.

With the IPL back with its eleventh edition and schedule of fixtures announced, let’s rewind the journey and have a look at the murky phase of the game over the years.

IPL Spot-Fixing chaos

One of the nastiest controversies rocked IPL in 2013 when eleven bookies were arrested in connection with booking in IPL matches. Later, actor Vindoo Dara Singh was nabbed by the Delhi Police, following arrests of BCCI President, N Srinivasan’s son-in-law, Gurunath Meiyappan and Rajasthan Royals owner Raj Kundra.

The Supreme Court formed Justice Mukul Mudgal panel to look into the proceedings. The panel submitted its report to Justice Lodha Committee in 2014. Later, Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals were suspended by the committee for two years.

Both the teams are making a comeback this year.

The infamous Bhajji- Sree Slapgate

Veteran Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh landed himself in a controversy when he slapped then Kings XI Punjab pacer Sreesanth after one of the matches in 2008. After winning the game, Sreesanth said something offensive to Turbanator, and he hit Sree.

Reportedly, Harbhajan later went to Sreesanth and apologised, but the damage was done, and he was banned for 11 matches. This spat is still a raw wound in the history of IPL.

The sacking of IPL Hitherto Lalit Modi

Lalit Modi turned the vision of Indian Premier League into reality; he got his share of credit for the worldwide success of the IPL.

However, in 2010, Lalit Modi was accused of financial impropriety, rigging bidding deals, money laundering and betting and was ousted after the third edition of the game.

BCCI sent out a notice to Modi after the final of 2010 IPL quoting, “While we rejoice and celebrate the great success of the IPL season, the alleged acts of individual misdemeanours of Mr Lalit K Modi have brought a bad name to the administration of cricket and the game itself.”

Lalit Modi currently lives in the United Kingdom.

SRK banned from entering Wankhede

The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) banned the Kolkata Knight Riders owner Shah Rukh Khan from entering the Wankhede Stadium for five years in 2012. Reportedly, drunk SRK got into a scuffle with security guards after a match between KKR and MI. However, MCA  officially lifted the ban in 2015 after they felt that he had respectfully served the ban for three years.

Parnell’s and Rahul Sharma’s Rave Party

Pune Warriors players, Rahul Sharma and Wayne Parnell, were arrested by the Mumbai Police along with 42 others for consumption of recreational drugs during a rave party in 2012. Initially, both the cricketers denied the claims, but the positive blood samples cleared the picture. The duo found support from BCCI and they were not granted any harsh punishments as N Srinivasan pleaded that they had not taken any performance-enhancing drugs.