IPL: Why was the Rajasthan Royals(RR) banned?

The Indian Premier League(IPL) is loved by millions of cricket fans around the world. It’s more than just a tournament for them; it’s a festival that brings people from different parts of the world together every year. However, something happened in 2016 that put a black spot on the history of the IPL, a mark that can’t be easily wiped away. The IPL fixing scandal of 2013 shocked the cricketing world. It not only harmed the reputation of the tournament but also led to the banning of two teams from playing in the IPL for two full years. Those two teams were the Rajasthan Royals(RR) and the Chennai Super Kings(CSK), both banned because of illegal batting and corruption issues linked to their officials.

Why was the Rajasthan Royals banned?

The Rajasthan Royals were banned because of their involvement in the IPL fixing scandal that came to light in 2013. This scandal involved illegal betting and spot-fixing, where some players and officials were accused of manipulating matches for money. Betting on matches is strictly against the rules and also threatens the spirit of the game.

Investigations revealed that key members of the Rajasthan Royals, including their co-owner Raj Kundra, were involved in illegal betting activities. Raj Kundra was found to have placed bets on IPL matches and was linked to passing inside information. This was a serious breach of the IPL’s anti-corruption rules. Due to all these incidents and findings, the Supreme Court appointed the Lodha Committee decided that the Rajasthan Royals must face consequences and banned the team from participating in the IPL for the 2016 and 2017 seasons.

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What did the ban mean for RR players and people involved?

The ban had a big impact on the Rajasthan Royals, its players, and the IPL as a whole. The Lodha Committee, formed by the Supreme Court, was responsible for investigating the scandal. Their findings were clear: Raj Kundra, along with some players, were found guilty of corruption and betting-related offenses.

Raj Kundra was banned for life from any cricket-related activities. Several Rajasthan Royals players were also questioned, and some were even found involved in spot-fixing, which led to punishments and suspensions. The ban meant that the Rajasthan Royals had to sit out for two seasons, which affected the team’s reputation, finances, and even fan support. During the ban, the team changed management and ownership to clean up its image and comply with stricter IPL rules. When the ban ended, RR made a strong comeback in 2018, showcasing their change and zeal to play fair cricket. Though the ban did harm the image of the team but it was a necessary action to protect the integrity of the game and also served as a warning to all in cricket that fixing betting or corruption would not be accepted. The IPL and Rajasthan Royals both have worked hard to restore trust and bring back the audience.