In seventeen years of its existence, the Indian Premier league has revolutionised T20 cricket. The richest T20 league on the planet has become a platform to discover hidden talents. But there was a time when it was plagued with the spot-fixing scandal. This was one of the most heart-wrenching moments for Chennai Super Kings’ fans when the IPL governing body slapped a two-year ban on the team, along with Rajasthan Royals a decade back. For die-hard IPL enthusiasts, CSK represents excellence, drawing a huge fan base, thanks to the leadership of ‘Thala Dhoni.’ So, when CSK got suspended, it hit fans hard. They were left wondering: Why did this powerhouse of the IPL get sidelined?
A crushing blow for CSK fans
In the 2013 IPL season, there were allegations of spot-fixing and betting. Gurunath Meiyappan was arrested on the day of the final match between Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians, accused of spot-fixing. Similarly, Raj Kundra, the owner of Rajasthan Royals, faced similar charges. In July 2015, the Supreme Court of India set up a three-member committee led by former Chief Justice R M Lodha to investigate. The Justice Lodha Committee found evidence of match-fixing and betting, leading to a two-year ban for both Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals from the IPL in 2016 and 2017. Key officials from both teams, Gurunath Meiyappan of CSK and Raj Kundra of Rajasthan Royals, were given lifetime bans from all BCCI cricket matches.
What Ms Dhoni said on the spot-fixing scandal
Dhoni broke his silence in the series “Roar of the Lion,” reflecting on the 2013 IPL fixing scandal that he called the “most difficult and depressing” phase of his life. In this docu-drama, he questioned, “What mistake did the players make?” The documentary delves into the scandal that shook Indian cricket and chronicles the impressive resurgence of Chennai Super Kings following their two-year suspension due to their management’s implication in spot-fixing.