11 of the biggest controversies that hit IPL since inception

New Delhi Indian Premier League and controversies seem to go hand in hand. The cash-rich IPL has not only helped players become stars overnight but has also uncovered various scandals, verbal arguments, spot-fixing and franchise terminations. Here are the top 11 controversies that happened over the past nine years since the inception of IPL in 2008.

Water crisis ahead of IPL 9: With Maharashtra facing severe drought conditions, Bombay High Court ordered to shift 13 IPL matches out of the state. Figures disclosed that around 60,000 litres of water was required for the ground daily, which was not appropriate while the state was facing the natural calamity.

Shah Rukh Khan banned from Wankhede Stadium: Bollywood megastar Shah Rukh Khan was banned from entering the Wankhede Stadium for five years by the Mumbai Cricket Association MCA during the IPL 2012 for allegedly misbehaving with the security staff. The incident took place after Kolkata Knight Riders won over Mumbai Indians.

Harbhajan Singh slaps Sreesanth: The incident happened during the very first season of IPL after Kings XI Punjab defeated Mumbai Indians in Mohali. Mumbai Indians skipper Harbhajan Singh slapped Kings XI Punjab pacer Sreesanth. The paceman was seen crying bitterly on the ground.

Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals suspended for spot-fixing: The involvement of some IPL players in match fixing came into light on May 16, 2013 after Delhi Police arrested arrested three Rajasthan Royals players – S Sreesanth, Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan on grounds of spot-fixing. Later, Vindoo Dara Singh, Gurunath Meiyappan, son-in-law of former ICC chairman, and businessman Raj Kundra were also arrested. The series of incidents later led to the suspension of Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals.

Shane Warne fined for abusing official: During IPL 2011, Australian spinner Shane Warne abused Sanjay Dixit, President of Rajasthan Cricket Association, after his team’s loss gainst Bangalore in Jaipur. Sanjay registered a complaint with the BCCI accusing Warne of abusing him in full public view. Warne was found guilty and was imposed a fine of US50,000.

Sourav Ganguly sacked from Kolkata Knight Riders: Skipper of the Kolkata Knight Riders team for the first three seasons, Ganguly was abandoned by KKR for the fourth season. Shah Rukh Khan-owned KKR did not bid for ‘Dada’ for the IPL 2011. Several protests were organised by thousands of cricket fans from Kolkata both on streets and social media. Shah Rukh was criticised for expelling Ganguly from the team. Sourav, however, found a place in Pune Warriors for the fourth season of the league.

Luke Pomersbach arrested for molesting an American woman: The Australian middle-order batsman, who made his IPL debut for Kings XI Punjab but was later bought by Royal Challengers Bangalore, was arrested by Delhi Police for allegedly molesting a US woman of Indian origin and beating up her boyfriend at Delhi five-star hotel, the Maurya Sheraton. The RCB player was charged under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code. Later, the charges against Pomersbach were dropped after the case was settled out of the court.

Ravindra Jadeja banned for one year: Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja got banned from the third season of IPL in 2010 for trying to negotiate a contract with Mumbai Indians despite having a contract with Rajasthan Royals. IPL imposed a one-year ban on Sir Jadeja for breaking the player trading rules.

Sacking of IPL chairman Lalit Modi: Former IPL chairman, who brought the idea of IPL and made it a huge success, was sacked as the IPL commissioner after being accused of a wide range of financial irregularities, money laundering, betting and offering bribes.

Rahul Sharma and Wayne Parnell caught at rave party: During the fifth season of IPL in 2012, Pune Warriors’ players Rahul Sharma Wayne and Parnell were arrested by Mumbai Police after being a caught at a rave party in Juhu. Both players claimed their innocence and said that “they were at the wrong place at the wrong time”. Rahul and parnell were later tested positive for drugs.

Kochi Tuskers Kerala ousted by BCCI: In September 2011, the Kochi Tuskers franchise was terminated by BCCI over ownership issues. The decision was taken after the team failed to provide a new bank guarantee needed to cover their annual fee for IPL 2012. The journey of Kochi Tuskers Kerala in the league was both short and turbulent.