One of the most well-known teams in the Indian Premier League (IPL) is the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). It has a massive fan base and has been successful in the tournament, winning the trophy twice in 2012 and 2014. However, KKR has also been surrounded by controversies throughout its IPL journey. Here are the top five controversies of KKR in IPL till date:
(1)The IPL 2012 Spot Fixing Scandal:
In 2012, five KKR players, including captain Gautam Gambhir, were accused of being involved in spot-fixing during a match against Kings XI Punjab. Although the allegations were not proven, it created a massive controversy, tarnishing the reputation of the franchise.
(2)Shah Rukh Khan’s Wankhede Ban:
In 2012, KKR co-owner Shah Rukh Khan was banned from entering the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai after he was involved in a scuffle with the security personnel. The ban was lifted after two years, but it created a massive controversy, with many people accusing the Mumbai Cricket Association of being biased against KKR.
(3)The IPL 2014 Karun Nair Run-Out Controversy:
In a match against Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2014, KKR fielder Yusuf Pathan claimed a catch, and the on-field umpires referred the decision to the third umpire. However, during the referral, KKR fielder Manish Pandey knocked the bails off at the non-striker’s end, leading to the run-out of Karun Nair. The decision created a massive controversy, with many people accusing KKR of unsportsmanlike behavior.
(4)The IPL 2018 Shivam Mavi No-Ball Controversy:
In a match against Delhi Daredevils in IPL 2018, KKR bowler Shivam Mavi bowled a no-ball, which was not spotted by the on-field umpire. The no-ball would have resulted in a free-hit for Delhi Daredevils. However, it was only spotted by the third umpire after the delivery, leading to a massive controversy, with many people accusing KKR of benefiting from the mistake.
(5)The IPL 2020 Sunil Narine Bowling Action Controversy:
After the match against Kings XI Punjab in IPL 2020, KKR spinner Sunil Narine was accused of using a questionable bowling technique. Narine was subsequently banned from bowling in the tournament, and KKR had to change their team composition. The decision created a massive controversy, with many people accusing KKR of being unfairly targeted.
In conclusion, KKR has had its fair share of controversies in the IPL. However, the franchise has also had many memorable moments and has been successful in the tournament.
