Indian Premier League is the most loved T20 series worldwide where they invited national and international players to play in the series. It was started in 2008 with 8 teams with different franchises which were later sold in auctions held every year by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
However, the league has had its own share of controversies – none bigger than the spot-fixing scandal the rocked the IPL back on 2013. CSK and Rajasthan Royals (RR) were impacted with this revelation.
Why CSK Was Banned For 2 Years
- The RM Lodha Committee was established by the Supreme Court of India to investigate the 2013 Indian Premier League (IPL) spot-fixing scandal.
- India Cements is the parent company of CSK – one of the most successful and followed franchises in the IPL.
- The practice of spot-fixing involves manipulating a specific part of a match in order to achieve a predetermined outcome.
- Betting refers to placing bets on the outcome of a game and is illegal in India.
- In 2015, CSK was handed a suspension for two years owing to their involvement in spot-fixing and betting.
- As a fan favorite and two-time winner, CSK’s suspension was a significant event in the history of the IPL.
- CSK made a comeback in 2018 and went on to clinch the title. This sparked immense joy and euphoria to the fanbase.
Cricket is a sport that fans enjoy playing as well as watching, which emphasises the need to uphold the game’s fairness and integrity. The suspension of CSK serves as a reminder of how crucial it is to take action to stop betting and spot-fixing in order to maintain the integrity of sports.
About Lodha Committee about Why CSK Was Banned
The Supreme Court of India appointed the Lodha Committee on 23 January 2015 to evaluate and suggest actionable steps to enhance the functioning of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
Additionally, the committee was tasked with determining appropriate sanctions for Gurunath Meiyappan and Raj Kundra in the Indian Premier League (IPL) betting scandal, as well as examining the role of Sundar Raman. The Lodha Committee submitted its report on 14 July 2015.
In summary, the Lodha Committee proposed several key recommendations:
- Establishing a retirement age of 70 years for administrators.
- Removing any administrator with criminal charges, unsound mind, insolvency, or holding positions in other athletic associations.
- Limiting the tenure of office bearers to two consecutive terms.
- Implementing a “one vote per state” policy for transparency in BCCI’s operations.
- Restricting the tenure of BCCI President to two years.
- Creating an independent governing body for the IPL.
- Requiring BCCI officials to disclose their assets to the governing board to prevent involvement in betting activities.
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What Was MS Dhoni’s Reaction to the CSK Ban?
MS Dhoni, the captain at that time of CSK, described this period as one of the most challenging phases of his career. In the documentary “Roar of the Lion,” he expressed his feelings about the allegations and their impact on the team.
Dhoni emphasized the emotional toll the suspension took on him and the team. He famously stated, “The biggest crime that I can commit is not a murder; it is actually match-fixing,” highlighting the severity of the accusations in his eyes.
Despite the challenges, Dhoni remained focused on leading the team to a strong comeback and has led the side after the ban and has also won the IPL title for the side.
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The Aftermath and CSK’s Response
The Supreme Court of India imposed a ban on Chennai Super Kings (CSK) after it was part of the recommendations of the Justice Lodha Committee. This decision was passed after the committee uncovered evidence of betting involving CSK team official Gurunath Meiyappan.
During the course of this investigation, Meiyappan was summoned by the Mumbai Police for questioning regarding the betting activities. He was then arrested and charged with betting on IPL matches – these actions were against the rules of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for team officials.
Meiyappan’s arrest and the subsequent charges brought CSK under the scanner. It should be mentioned here that CSK continues to be one of the most successful and beloved teams in the IPL. These allegations of betting and spot-fixing and the subsequent ban cast a shadow over both the team and the tournament.
The ban had a significant impact on CSK. The team was forced to navigate legal challenges and implement measures to mitigate damage to its reputation and brand value.
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Legal Challenges and Appeals Made by CSK
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) had to encounter several legal hurdles and pursued appeals in an effort to reverse the ban imposed by the Supreme Court of India. The franchise actively sought relief from the court and it presented its own arguments and was looking to contest the ban.
CSK was focusing on highlighting any procedural irregularities or perceived unfairness in the ban decision.
Conclusion
The two-year ban on Chennai Super Kings was a significant moment in IPL history. It underscored the importance of upholding the integrity of the sport and maintaining strict ethical standards. The scandal and subsequent ban served as a stark reminder of the consequences of actions that undermine the game’s credibility.
CSK’s return to the IPL in 2018, and their subsequent victory that season, demonstrated the team’s resilience and the unwavering support of their fan base. The franchise has since continued to be a strong contender in the IPL, further cementing its legacy as one of the league’s most successful teams.
Frequently Asked About Why CSK Banned in IPL
CSK was handed a suspension for two years due to their involvement in spot fixing. The side was banned from IPL in 2016 and 2017 and made a comeback to the league in 2018.
As things stand right now, the BCCI has employed strict anti-corruption rules in the IPL and hence, it will be difficult for players or officials to be involved in any form of match fixing.
Teams were not banned in the IPL. However, Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals were suspended from IPL for 2 years owing to their involvement in spot fixing.
CSK was suspended for two years from the IPL starting July 2015 due to the involvement of its owners in the 2013 IPL betting case. They made a comeback and won the title in 2018.
CSK was banned from the IPL owing to allegations of match-fixing and illegal betting, primarily involving Gurunath Meiyappan.
