Which is no 1 Fixing Team in IPL?
When a national cricket league, IPL was announced by BCCI, a governing cricket board in India in 2007, and successfully started in 2008 with its inaugural season, it became a golden opportunity for Indians to showcase their hidden talent in front of the world. The league became more popular because of its thrilling matches and the participation of the top international players from different countries, and it got too many fans worldwide in a few years.
However, after a few years, the Indian Premier League faced some tough moments because of match-fixing, spot-fixing, and betting scandal cases in 2012 and 2013. Mumbai Police arrested some players for alleged betting and spot-fixing. There is not a single team that is definitively labeled the No. 1 IPL fixing team. However, the Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings were suspended from the IPL for two years, in 2016 and 2017 because of their involvement in activities of the IPL spot-fixing scandal. Some players initially faced punishment but were later cleared by the courts.
Here we have gone into the in-depth detail of the IPL spot-fixing and betting scandal cases, the persons behind these conspiracies, the Indian courts’ action against the persons involved in this spot-fixing case, the punishment the courts gave to the IPL franchises, banned for two years in 2016 and 2017 Seasons and the most important thing is how all this did?
Which is no 1 Fixing Team in IPL?
However, over the years, the league has faced several controversies, with match-fixing and spot-fixing scandals tarnishing its reputation. While no single team can be definitively labeled as the “No. 1 Fixing Team,” certain franchises like Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) have been frequently associated with these controversies.
2012 IPL spot-fixing and betting case:
The 2012 Indian Premier League (IPL) season was supposed to be a celebration of cricket, but it turned into a nightmare when a shocking spot-fixing scandal came to light. Imagine the disappointment of millions of fans who had tuned in to watch their favorite players, only to discover that some of them were involved in unethical practices. The scandal was exposed by India TV, a Hindi news channel, through a sting operation that revealed five domestic Indian cricketers allegedly involved in spot-fixing and illegal betting. The players implicated were TP Sudhindra (Deccan Chargers), Shalabh Srivastava (Kings XI Punjab), Mohnish Mishra (Pune Warriors India), Amit Yadav (Kings XI Punjab), and Abhinav Bali (unattached to any team during the 2012 season).
The sting operation was like a bolt from the blue for cricket lovers. It showed that these players were willing to manipulate specific moments in matches, such as bowling no-balls or scoring below a certain number of runs, in exchange for money. For instance, TP Sudhindra, who was handed a life ban, was caught on camera agreeing to bowl a no-ball in a domestic match as per the bookies’ instructions. Similarly, Shalabh Srivastava, who received a five-year ban, was recorded discussing spot-fixing deals, although the conversation was only available in audio format. The other players, including Mohnish Mishra, Amit Yadav, and Abhinav Bali, were also found guilty of violating the IPL’s anti-corruption code.
The scandal left fans heartbroken and questioning the integrity of the game they loved. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) acted swiftly, imposing strict bans on the players involved. The BCCI’s Anti-Corruption Unit, led by Ravi Sawani, conducted a thorough investigation and recommended severe punishments to maintain the integrity of the game. This incident served as a wake-up call for the IPL, prompting the league to implement stricter anti-corruption measures and educate players about the consequences of unethical practices. The 2012 spot-fixing case remains a dark chapter in IPL history, reminding us of the challenges of maintaining transparency and fairness in a high-stakes tournament.
2013 IPL spot-fixing and betting case:
If the 2012 scandal was a shock, the 2013 Indian Premier League (IPL) season was a full-blown earthquake that shook the very foundation of cricket. This season is often remembered as one of the darkest chapters in cricket history due to the infamous spot-fixing scandal. The controversy came to light when the Delhi Police arrested three players from the Rajasthan Royals team for their alleged involvement in spot-fixing. The players implicated in the scandal were S. Sreesanth, a well-known Indian fast bowler, Ajit Chandila, a relatively unknown spinner, and Ankeet Chavan, a left-arm spinner.
The players were accused of accepting money from bookies to manipulate specific moments in matches, such as bowling no-balls at pre-determined times. For example, S. Sreesanth, who had represented India in international cricket, was alleged to have agreed to bowl a no-ball during a match against Kings XI Punjab in exchange for money. Similarly, Ajit Chandila was accused of being the main link between the players and the bookies, while Ankeet Chavan was also found guilty of participating in the spot-fixing racket. It was a gut-wrenching moment for fans who had idolized these players, only to see their trust shattered.
But the scandal didn’t stop with the players. It also led to the arrest of Gurunath Meiyappan, a key official of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and the son-in-law of then BCCI president N. Srinivasan, for his alleged involvement in betting activities. Additionally, Raj Kundra, the co-owner of Rajasthan Royals, was also accused of placing bets on IPL matches. These high-profile arrests sent shockwaves through the cricketing world and raised serious questions about the integrity of the league. Fans were left wondering: How deep did this corruption go?
The fallout from the scandal was severe. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) took strict action, banning Sreesanth and Chavan for life, although the Supreme Court later lifted Sreesanth’s ban due to lack of evidence. The scandal also led to the suspension of both Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals from the IPL for two years (2016 and 2017). This incident forced the IPL to strengthen its anti-corruption measures and work harder to restore the trust of fans and stakeholders. The 2013 spot-fixing scandal remains a stark reminder of the challenges faced by the league in maintaining fairness and transparency.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK): The Gurunath Meiyappan Scandal
Chennai Super Kings (CSK), one of the most beloved and successful teams in IPL history, faced a devastating blow in 2013 when Gurunath Meiyappan, the team principal and son-in-law of then BCCI president N. Srinivasan, was arrested for illegal betting. Fans were heartbroken as Meiyappan was accused of passing team information to bookies and placing bets on matches. For supporters who saw CSK as a symbol of excellence, this scandal felt like a betrayal.
The arrest on May 24, 2013, brought severe charges: betting, conspiracy, and cheating. CSK fans, who took pride in their team’s clean image, were left shocked and disillusioned. The scandal not only tarnished Meiyappan’s reputation but also cast a dark shadow over the entire franchise.
The fallout was immense. The Lodha Committee found CSK guilty of violating IPL rules, leading to a two-year suspension (2016-2017) for both CSK and Rajasthan Royals. For fans, losing their beloved “Yellow Brigade” was a crushing blow. However, CSK showed incredible resilience. In 2018, they made a triumphant comeback, winning the IPL title and redeeming themselves in the eyes of their loyal supporters.
The scandal remains a painful chapter in CSK’s history, but it also highlights the importance of integrity in sports. For fans, it was a lesson in loyalty, and for CSK, it was a chance to rise stronger and reclaim their legacy as one of the greatest teams in IPL history.
Rajasthan Royals (RR): The Sreesanth-Chandila-Chavan Scandal
Rajasthan Royals, the team that won the very first IPL in 2008, found themselves at the center of a massive scandal in 2013 that shook the league to its core. The arrest of three of their players—S. Sreesanth, Ajit Chandila, and Ankeet Chavan—exposed the dark side of cricket, leaving fans heartbroken and questioning the integrity of the sport they loved.
S. Sreesanth, a fiery fast bowler who had represented India on the international stage, was accused of bowling no-balls at pre-determined times in exchange for money. It was a shocking revelation for fans who had cheered for him. Although he was initially banned for life, the Supreme Court lifted the ban in 2019 due to a lack of evidence, giving him a second chance.
Ajit Chandila, a lesser-known spinner, was accused of being the main link between the players and the bookies. His involvement in the scandal led to a life ban from cricket, a harsh punishment that ended his career.
Ankeet Chavan, a left-arm spinner, was also accused of spot-fixing for money. He too was banned for life, though his ban was later reduced to seven years, offering a glimmer of hope for his future.
The scandal had severe consequences for Rajasthan Royals. The team was suspended for two years (2016-2017), and during this period, they were replaced by Rising Pune Supergiant. For fans, it was a painful time, watching their beloved team sidelined. However, like true champions, Rajasthan Royals made a strong comeback, proving that even in the face of adversity, the spirit of cricket prevails. This scandal remains a stark reminder of the challenges the league faces in maintaining fairness and transparency.