The Indian Premier League is one of the richest tournaments in the world, IPL has many forms of bringing players' talent out and giving opportunities to new talents at the same the emotions run out rapidly between the players on the field and off the field, some times these emotions runs out of the nerve leading to some on and off the field controversies, Here are the top 5 controversies in the history of the Indian Premier League.
MS Dhoni's Rare Outburst
MS Dhoni, who rarely shows anger on the field, recently participated in a show where he reflected on a controversial moment from the past. In this particular match, CSK was on the verge of victory against RR, with Dhoni leading them in a crucial chase. However, things took a dramatic turn when Ben Stokes bowled a high full toss, which the umpire initially called a no-ball for height. The square-leg umpire, however, overturned the decision, causing confusion and frustration in the CSK camp.
This led to an unlikely reaction from Dhoni, who stormed onto the field from the dugout to confront the umpires. Despite the controversy, CSK eventually secured a narrow four-wicket victory. However, Dhoni was fined 50% of his match fee for breaching the IPL's code of conduct. Reflecting on the moment, Dhoni admitted it was a mistake and stressed that such things sometimes happen during a game.
At the end of the match, it was Santer who was at the crease with six runs required off the last ball. With remarkable composure, he completed the chase with a six straight over the bowler’s head, sealing the victory for CSK.
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Darkest Days of Indian Premier League
The 2013 IPL spot-fixing scandal remains one of the league's darkest moments. It all started with bookie Sunil Bhatia's arrest, sparking nationwide investigations that uncovered links to cricketers, Bollywood stars, and franchise officials. Rajasthan Royals players Sreesanth, Chandila, and Chavan were arrested for spot-fixing, with suspicious on-field gestures like towel signals raising suspicion.
The scandal deepened when CSK’s Gurunath Meiyappan and RR’s Raj Kundra were found involved in illegal betting, with actor Vindu Dara Singh also arrested. As the probe progressed, BCCI President N. Srinivasan had to step down. In 2015, the RM Lodha Committee suspended CSK and RR for two years, leading to Gujarat Lions and Rising Pune Supergiant’s temporary inclusion. Though all accused were eventually released, the scandal led to stricter anti-corruption measures in the IPL.
Kohli and Gambhir Heated Clashes
Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir, two of India's most iconic cricketers, have had their share of fiery moments on the field. Their first major clash occurred in IPL 2013 when Kohli, playing for RCB, had a heated exchange with Gambhir, the then KKR skipper, after getting dismissed.
Fast forward to IPL 2023, during a match between RCB and LSG, Kohli’s animated celebration sparked another confrontation with Gambhir, who was now LSG's mentor and defending Naveen-ul-Haq. Both players were fined their full match fees.
Even though there were more tensions off the field, particularly when Gambhir was LSG’s coach, time has healed the rift. Now, as Gambhir is India’s head coach, the two have mended their relationship, sharing a laugh over their aggressive styles of play. Both have spoken about the incidents, acknowledging it as part of the game and are in good spirits now.
Shahrukh Khan’s Ban From Wankhede Stadium
Shah Rukh Khan’s infamous altercation at Wankhede Stadium during the 2012 IPL season remains one of the league's most talked-about controversies. After Kolkata Knight Riders' win over Mumbai Indians on May 16, SRK got into a heated argument with security personnel. The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) accused him of misbehavior and imposed a five-year ban from the venue.
SRK defended himself, stating he reacted after security allegedly mistreated a group of children, including his daughter. Though a police complaint was filed, it was a non-cognizable offense, so he wasn’t arrested. The ban was eventually lifted in 2015.
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Harbhajan Singh Crosses the Line
In the 2008 IPL season, a major controversy erupted when Mumbai Indians captain Harbhajan Singh slapped Kings XI Punjab's S Sreesanth after a match in Mohali on April 25. Punjab had defeated Mumbai by 66 runs, and cameras caught Sreesanth in tears following the slap. Reports suggested that Sreesanth had taunted Harbhajan, who reacted in frustration instead of addressing it privately.
As a result, Harbhajan was banned for the rest of the season and given a five-match suspension in ODIs. Over time, both players moved past the incident, with Sreesanth clarifying that he was hurt emotionally, as he had always viewed Harbhajan as an elder brother.
