Rajasthan Royals (RR) is one of the most loved and controversial teams in the Indian Premier League (IPL) history. From the spot-fixing scandal to the team’s ownership change, here are the top 5 controversies of RR in IPL till date.
(1)Spot-Fixing Scandal
The spot-fixing scandal that rocked the IPL in 2013 involved three RR players: Sreesanth, Ajit Chandila, and Ankeet Chavan. The three players were arrested by the Delhi Police for allegedly spot-fixing matches during the IPL season. The scandal led to a two-year ban for RR and CSK from the IPL.
(2)Ownership Controversy
In 2008, the inaugural IPL season, RR was owned by Emerging Media, a company controlled by Raj Kundra and Shilpa Shetty. However, in 2013, Kundra was accused of betting on IPL matches and was banned from all cricket-related activities for life. Following the controversy, the BCCI took over the ownership of the team, and the franchise was eventually sold to a consortium led by Manoj Badale.
(3)Shane Warne’s Captaincy
Shane Warne was the captain of RR during their victorious 2008 season. However, in 2011, Warne was accused of breaching the IPL’s code of conduct when he allegedly slapped RR player Siddharth Trivedi. Warne was fined $50,000 and banned for one match. The incident caused controversy and led to questions about Warne’s suitability as captain.
(4)Replacing Rahul Dravid
In 2014, RR’s decision to replace Rahul Dravid as captain with Shane Watson sparked controversy. Dravid had led the team to the playoffs in the previous season, and many believed that he deserved another chance to lead the team. However, RR’s management believed that Watson’s aggressive style of play was better suited to the T20 format, and he was appointed as the new captain.
(5)Conflict with BCCI
In 2019, the BCCI banned RR’s all-rounder, Ben Stokes, from playing in the IPL after he was selected for England’s World Cup squad. The decision sparked controversy, as it was believed that the BCCI was trying to protect their own interests by preventing Stokes from playing in the IPL. RR’s management expressed their disappointment with the decision, and the controversy continued to simmer throughout the season.
RR has had its fair share of controversies over the years, but the team has always bounced back with its fighting spirit and determination. With a talented squad and a committed management team, RR will continue to be a force to be reckoned with in the IPL.
