Why was CSK banned from IPL for two years?

The Indian Premier League is one of the biggest T20 cricket tournaments in the country and also in the world. Since its start, it has been a platform for players to showcase their talent and for the fans to enjoy competitive cricket. However, the league has also faced some of serious challenges, including corruption and betting scandals. One of the most shocking events then was when the Chennai Super Kings(CSK), a team that was very successful and led by MS Dhoni, was banned from the tournament for two years. The ban came after investigations found that the key officials from CSK were involved in betting activities. At the same time, along with CSK an another franchise, which is none other than RR, was also banned from IPL for similar reasons. 

The suspension of CSK was a major blow to fans and the cricket community, as the team was a dominant force in the league. This scandal affected teams, their players, and the reputation of the IPL, further raising questions on the integrity of the league and how management officials were handling team responsibilities. So today, we will dig deep and find out why CSK was banned from IPL and who was responsible for the ban.

Reasons why CSK was banned?

CSK was banned because Gurunath Meiyappan, a key official associated with the team, was found guilty of betting on IPL Matches. Investigations showed that Meiyappan had linked with the bookies and had placed bets during 2013 IPL season. The Supreme Court-appointed Lodha Committee reviewed the evidence collected by the Mukul Mudgal panel and concluded that CSK’s management failed to act against Meiyappan. His actions were considered damaging to the reputation of the team and also of the league. At the same time, Raj Kundra, co-owner of Rajasthan Royals, was also found guilty of betting and was banned for life from all cricket activities. The ban led to damage and a black spot on the IPL legacy and also meant that CSK and RR both could not participate in the IPL for two years, making it one of the most serious punishments in the league’s history.

Read Also:- Why was th RR banned

IPL Fixing Scandals 

The bans on CSK and RR were part of the larger issues with betting and match fixing in the IPL. During the 2013 season, several officials were involved in illegal betting activities, which affected the credibility of the league. The Lodha committee’s decisions aimed to restore trust and credibility in Cricket and IPL by sending a strong message that corruption would not be tolerated, while both CSK and RR returned to IPL later, this scandal remained a dark chapter for franchises and the league itself. 

Following CSK’s two year ban from the IPL, Key players moved to different franchise for affected seasons. The controversy led to a lawsuit in Supreme Court. CSK captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni became the captain of Rising Pune Supergiants. Suresh Raina, R Ashwin, Dwayne Bravo, and Ravindra Jadeja joined Gujarat Lions and Rising Pune Supergiants. Talking on the CSK ban, MS Dhoni, captain cool says- “It was the most difficult and depressing times of his life.” he revealed about the ban and match fixing scandal in the series “Roar of the Lion”.