The Indian Premier League (IPL) has evolved beyond a cricket competition. It’s a cultural event that unites business, entertainment, and sports in a manner that no other league does. The IPL is always in the news because of the billions of cash involved and the presence of well-known cricket players, Bollywood stars, and business magnates. However, controversies are inevitable in environments with wealth and celebrity.
There have been highs and lows for the league since its first edition in 2008. Although there have been instances of outstanding cricket and opportunities for players to change their lives, it has also been impacted by scandals that have damaged its reputation. The IPL has witnessed everything from contentious on-field altercations and franchise disputes to financial problems and match-fixing allegations. The IPL is still becoming stronger, fans are still packing stadiums, and broadcasters are breaking records annually in spite of these scandals.
Here are the five biggest controversies in IPL that shocked fans:
1. Dhoni rushes onto the field in anger over the umpire’s decision:
The IPL 2019 encounter between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Jaipur included a rare outburst from legendary Indian wicketkeeper-batter MS Dhoni, who is known for maintaining his calm under duress. The event happened on April 11 when CSK was chasing 152 and needed eight runs off the final three balls.
The square-leg umpire reversed the original decision to call a no-ball for height after Ben Stokes delivered a high full delivery. The CSK camp became confused and frustrated as a result, which caused a reaction that was different from Dhoni’s.
From the dugout, the then-CSK captain charged onto the pitch to challenge the umpires. In spite of the dispute, CSK won by a slim margin of four wickets. However, for violating the IPL’s code of conduct, Dhoni was fined half of his match pay. The legendary player took stock of the incident ahead of the 2025 Indian Premier League and acknowledged that it was an error that occasionally occurs during a match.
2. 2013 spot-fixing scandal:
The 2013 IPL spot-fixing scandal is still one of the darkest chapters in the league’s history. It began with the arrest of bookie Sunil Bhatia, leading to nationwide inquiries exposing links to cricketers, Bollywood personalities, and high-profile franchise officials. Rajasthan Royals players Sreesanth, Ajit Chandila, and Ankeet Chavan were arrested for alleged spot-fixing, with suspicious on-field gestures like towel signals raising red flags.
The controversy increased when CSK team principal Gurunath Meiyappan and RR co-owner Raj Kundra were found involved in illegal betting. Bollywood actor Vindu Dara Singh was also arrested. As investigations continued, BCCI President N. Srinivasan was forced to step down. In 2015, the RM Lodha Committee suspended CSK and RR for two years, leading to the temporary inclusion of Gujarat Lions and Rising Pune Supergiant. Though all accused were later released, the scandal prompted stricter anti-corruption measures in the IPL.
3. Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir’s on-field altercation:
Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir, two of India’s most loved and respected cricketers, have had their fair share of heated exchanges on the field. Their first major altercation came during IPL 2013, when Kohli, playing for RCB, was dismissed against KKR and got into a spat with then-KKR skipper Gambhir.
A decade later, in IPL 2023, some heated moments took place again when RCB faced LSG. Kohli had an animated celebration after RCB’s win, leading to a post-match confrontation with Gambhir (then-mentor), who was defending LSG’s Naveen-ul-Haq. The face-off saw both players fined their full match fees. However, time has healed the rift.
With Gambhir now India’s head coach, the two have put aside their differences, sharing a laugh over their shared love for the game and aggressive approach to the game. Both the players have often spoken about the incidents and mentioned that it’s part of the game and are in good spirits.
4. KKR owner Shah Rukh Khan’s outburst at Wankhede Stadium:
Shah Rukh Khan’s infamous altercation at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai during the 2012 season still is one of the most talked-about controversies in the history of the league. After Kolkata Knight Riders defeated Mumbai Indians in an away game on May 16, SRK got into a heated argument with security personnel. The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) accused him of misbehavior and imposed a five-year ban on him from entering the venue.
However, the actor defended himself, revealing that he reacted only after security guards allegedly mistreated a group of children he was with, including his daughter. A police complaint was filed against him, but since it was a non-cognizable offense, he wasn’t arrested. The ban was eventually lifted in 2015.
5. Harbhajan Singh slapping S Sreesanth during IPL 2008:
In the inaugural season of the IPL in 2008, the first major controversy broke out when Mumbai Indians captain Harbhajan Singh slapped Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) pacer S Sreesanth after the match in Mohali on April 25. Punjab had comfortably defeated Mumbai by 66 runs, and moments after the game, cameras caught Sreesanth in tears after getting slapped. According to reports, Sreesanth had taunted Harbhajan, who reacted in frustration instead of addressing it in the dressing room.
As a result, Harbhajan was banned for the remainder of the season and faced a five-match suspension in ODIs. Over the years, both players have moved past the incident, with Sreesanth clarifying that he wasn’t hurt physically but emotionally, as he had always looked up to Harbhajan like an elder brother. Both the players were also part of India’s World Cup winning squads (2007 T20 World Cup and 2011 ODI World Cup).
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