IPL: 5 controversies in IPL history

IPL is one of the most competitive and thrilling sporting leagues in the world. It is widely recognized for the incredible platform it provides to young cricketers, where they can prove their talent at a grand scale. At the same time, seasoned veterans get an opportunity to redeem themselves and extend their careers in this lucrative and high-stakes tournament.

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With so much prestige and commercial value attached to the league, there have been several instances of controversy that have threatened to overshadow its legacy. However, the unwavering support from fans, franchises, and the cricketing fraternity has helped the IPL overcome these challenges, ensuring that its true spirit remains untarnished. Now, let’s take a deep dive into the top five controversies in IPL history:

1. Kohli vs Gambhir Face-Off

Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir got into a heated verbal argument with each other in a Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) vs Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) match. This was during a low-scoring thriller, with videos of the argument going viral on social media. In those clips, Gambhir was clearly seen to be furious, while Kohli looked displeased too.

The heated moment between the 16th and 17th overs was between LSG's Naveen-ul-Haq with Kohli. Naveen got close to Kohli and said something to him which the RCB star did not appreciate. The match ended but even then, things remained tense between both sides, especially Naveen as he did not speak with Kohli in the handshake session post-match.

Later, LSG coach Gautam Gambhir confronted Kohli over the incident, leading to another fiery exchange. LSG players had to step in to calm Gambhir down and pull him away from the confrontation.

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2. Pollard vs Starc Clash

A high-voltage altercation between Kieron Pollard and Mitchell Starc during an IPL match became one of the league’s most heated moments. Starc bowled a sharp bouncer and exchanged words with Pollard, who responded with a dismissive gesture. However, Starc took things a step further by bowling a delivery at Pollard even after the West Indian batter had backed away from the crease.

Enraged, Pollard threw his bat in Starc’s direction and charged towards him. Players, including Virat Kohli and Chris Gayle, along with the umpires, intervened to de-escalate the situation. The tension carried on into the final over when Pollard attempted a paddle shot but missed, leading to a dramatic run-out. This intense face-off remains one of the most memorable clashes in IPL history.

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3. Harbhajan Slaps Sreesanth

During the inaugural IPL season in 2008, an infamous incident occurred when Mumbai Indians (MI) captain Harbhajan Singh slapped Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) pacer Sreesanth.

Sreesanth had been chirping at the batsmen of MI throughout the match, and after KXIP had sealed the victory, he tried to shake hands with Harbhajan. But, in frustration at his team's poor performance, Harbhajan slapped Sreesanth across the face.

Cameras caught Sreesanth in tears, which went on to create one of the most shocking visuals in IPL history. After the incident, Harbhajan was suspended for the rest of the season. The two players eventually patched things up, but Sreesanth's outburst became one of the most memorable moments in IPL history.

4. Shah Rukh Khan vs Wankhede Security

In 2012, Bollywood superstar and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) owner Shah Rukh Khan was involved in a controversy at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium. The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) accused him of entering the field in an inebriated state and misbehaving with security personnel, particularly a guard named Vikas Dalvi.

The situation worsened when Shah Rukh questioned the guards as they did not allow him to enter the players' dressing room. The MCA banned Shah Rukh from entering Wankhede Stadium for five years. However, due to political pressure and the management of KKR, the ban was revoked in 2015. Shah Rukh later justified his act by saying he was trying to save his children from the wrongdoings of security personnel.

5. 2013 Spot-Fixing Scandal

The biggest controversy in IPL history was the 2013 spot-fixing and betting scandal, which shook the foundation of the league. The controversy involved multiple players, bookies, and even high-profile franchise officials.

Delhi Police arrested Sunil Bhatia, a bookie, and consequently arrested others: Yahiya Mohammad in Hyderabad and Vinod Mulchandani in Ahmedabad. In the course of the investigations, it was revealed that there were links to the Bollywood actor Vindu Dara Singh. He was also arrested.

The scandal took a shocking turn when Gurunath Meiyappan, the son-in-law of BCCI President N. Srinivasan was arrested for his involvement in betting. Three Rajasthan Royals players and fourteen bookies were arrested, leading to lifetime bans and suspensions. Raj Kundra, the co-owner of Rajasthan Royals, was also questioned.

In response to the scandal, the Supreme Court ordered Srinivasan to step down as BCCI president. Although all the accused persons were later released from prison, the controversy led to stricter regulations within the IPL to prevent such incidents in the future.

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