Ranking IPL franchises on the controversy scale

There is no doubt that IPL is one of the best innovations of the Indian cricketing system. The league has opened a door to the budding talents of the game. Besides, it is also generating more revenue which is essential for the growth of the country’s cricket. On top of that, it is entertaining the cricket lovers across the world with its high-octane action.

However, the IPL has been a double-edged sword as it has benefitted and harmed the Indian cricket in equal measures. Along with its rise, it has also laid the foundation stone for several controversies that have affected the Indian cricket negatively. Over the years, each of the franchises has been involved in various disputed matters which has eventually smeared their reputation as well as of the league.

Here is the ranking of IPL franchises on the controversy scale :

8. Delhi Capitals

In popular culture India’s capital, Delhi is mostly called ” Dilwalon ki Delhi ” because of the accepting nature of the state. Even their IPL franchise is so accepting that they have made 130 signings in 13 years. Keeping the pun aside, it is quite simple to understand why the team has been unable to make their mark in the tournament.

The franchise has never tried to maintain continuity in their team set-up. Not only the team has seen multiple personnel changes but they have also seen leadership changes which have mostly resulted in negative outcomes. Such has been the misery that they are the only team in the league history who are yet to knock on the doors of IPL final.

Still, there is something to smile for the Delhi fans as their team has never been involved in any wrongdoings in search of success and fame. Apart from a couple of slow-over rate and indiscipline charges the franchise has kept a clean sheet throughout their journey. There has hardly been an incident where the team has played the game in wrong spirits. Hence this time their supporters will be happy to see them at the bottom of the table.

7. Sunrisers Hyderabad

Sunrisers Hyderabad is a team that has always entertained the crowd with their grit and ability to punch above their weight. They are one of the few teams who have regularly challenged the top-tier sides like CSK and MI. All these have been possible due to a settled bowling unit and a couple of batting stalwarts in their ranks.

Another thing which has made them a quality side is their strategic planning and it can be best explained from their auction buys. As far as their IPL legacy is concerned the team is known for their success in defending low totals which in turn has masked their one of their biggest strengths. It is none other than the exemplary on-field discipline that has helped them achieve great heights.

Right from the early days, the Hyderabad franchise has stayed true to the norms of gentlemen’s game. They have always treated their opponents with great respect and there is not a single episode where their stars have been on the wrong side. Except in 2012 when one of their squad members T.P. Sudhindra was alleged to have taken part in spot-fixing activities. Immediately the franchise released him and it shows their stand on controversial matters.

6. Mumbai Indians

From a barren run in the first half of their expedition to a handful of trophies in the second-half, the IPL journey of Mumbai Indians has been an intriguing one. The franchise has always received strong support owing to the presence of world-class cricketing talents in their dug-out. Besides, the team has also been part of some of the iconic moments of the league.

Mumbai’s unpredictability factor coupled with their never-say-die attitude has been the highlight of their IPL tales. Along with their on-field success the team has also been able to maintain a good track record when it comes to the disciplinary front. Most of the time the team has played the game in the right spirits.

However, they are a couple of incidents that have put the franchise in the bad light. The most notable one being the “Slapgate”, which involved a physical assault by their former skipper, Harbhajan Singh. The off-spinner slapped S. Sreesanth who was then playing for the Kings XI Punjab at the end of their group-fixture and it immediately created a furor. Another one is the Keiron Pollard hurling his bat towards Mitchel Starc after a heated exchange between the stars. In all, there have been odd instances when the Mumbai Indians players have crossed the line.

5. Royal Challengers Bangalore

A jam-packed Chinnaswamy stadium rooting for the Royal Challengers Bangalore is an invaluable moment for the cricketing world. It not only defines the popularity of the IPL but it also shows the unconditional love of the Bangalore crowd for the game. Having been home to some of the icons of the game, the RCB has been one of the most followed teams in the league.

Although the franchise hasn’t won any silverware, they have won millions of hearts with their style of play. Time and again their superstars Virat Kohli and Ab De Villiers have carved out a name for the team with their batting prowess. Apart from that the team hasn’t lived up to the expectations and has also hogged the limelight for the wrong reasons.

Especially who can forget the shameful episode of Luke Pomersbach when he was arrested for molestation charges in the 2012 IPL. Besides, there have been after-party events that have often put the franchise in a hole. Add to that the ugly altercations involving their star players. If the Virat Kohli- Gautam Gambhir tops the list, then the Pollard-Starc one is just behind it. So in a way, the RCB has never been able to keep the media attention away from them.

4. Kolkata Knight Riders

One of the IPL franchises which have stars on and off the field is Kolkata Knight Riders. From their famous theme song “Korbo Lorbo Jetbo Re” to their Black and gold jersey the franchise has always found a way to charm the audience. More importantly, the team has won multiple championships and in the process, has shaped up a fanbase across the country.

The standout feature of the KKR franchise is their self-belief in their players as they have often build a team around a bunch of under-rated cricketers of the international circuit. The team has also been praised for their decision-making skills but sometimes the players and the owners have proved it wrong. In turn, they have been part of some unforgettable episodes.

There have been times when their players have engaged in verbal battles and their former skipper, Gautam Gambhir has mostly been the main culprit. There have also been personality clashes within the team and the most recent one being the differences between Dinesh Karthik and Andre Russell in the 2019 IPL. Even the owners have their share of goof-ups. The Wankhede fiasco of Shah Rukh Khan and the franchise’s violation of FEMA guidelines are a couple of examples.

3. Kings XI Punjab

For a Kings XI Punjab supporter, the only positive is the presence of ever-smiling, Priety Zinta in their camp. Apart from that their team hasn’t given any reason to cheer. They have put up dismal performances regularly and have earned the unwanted tag of being the only team in the league to finish with wooden spoon thrice. In simple terms, the franchise has flattered to deceive in each of the seasons.

Still, there is hope amongst the fans that their team will define their IPL moment in the coming times. Right from the early days, there has been the required talent in the squad to scale great heights. However, ever now and then, the franchise has been caught up in the web of controversies. Both the players and owners have contributed to their downfall.

The first one was the Slapgate which involved their pacer, S. Sreesanth. Thereafter the franchise again got in a pickle in 2012 when a couple of their players, Shalabh Srivastav and Amit Yadav were accused of spot-fixing. Then came the ugly off-field incident when Priety Zinta accused Ness Wadia of molestation charges. The latter grabbed more attention when he got arrested for the drug charges before the 2019 IPL and the franchise reached on the verge of getting suspended from the league. Hence the franchise has lost its track on several occasions.

2. Rajasthan Royals

The Rajasthan Royals have been the most under-rated team in IPL history. It’s not because they are the inaugural champions of the league but they have always nurtured young cricketing talents which is the primary objective of the IPL. Besides they have often outplayed stronger oppositions with their brand of cricket.

They are a team that relies on their strengths rather than preying on the opponent’s weakness and it has certainly worked wonders for them. The franchise may not be the most popular one but they have given some memorable moments to the cricketing fraternity. On the contrary, the franchise has also brought shame to the league by being part of some unsporting events.

In particular, the 2013 spot-fixing is the biggest black mark in Rajasthan’s IPL report-card. Three of their players, Ankeet Chavan, Ajit Chandila and S. Sreesanth were arrested for their illegal activities midway through the tournament.

Later, their then co-owner, Raj Kundra made shocking revelations about his involvement in the spot-fixing and thereafter the team was also banned for two years. The franchise has been involved in activities like fictitious bids and violations of BCCI guidelines which indicates that sometimes the Royals have played it dirty.

1. Chennai Super Kings

Chennai Super Kings is that student of the IPL which always like to top the class. Such has been their consistency that their worst run is limited to the 2nd runner-up position in a season. To be precise the Yellow team has won 61% of their IPL ties and has made it to the last four in each of their seasons. Hence now it is crystal clear why they are one of the most followed teams in the league.

Furthermore, the presence of the legendary, MS Dhoni in their ranks has given the franchise a cult following across the globe. They have won the tournament on 3 occasions and have also played out several IPL classics which is more than enough to define their IPL legacy. Having said that there is a dark side to the franchise which has often been neglected owing to their on-field success. They have been involved in some of the high-profile controversies.

The 2013 spot-fixing being the prominent one, where their top official Gurunath Meiyappan was accused of illegal betting. Thereafter Dhoni was alleged of spot-fixing and questioned for his relation with bookies Uttamlal Jain and Vikram Agarwal. Soon like Rajasthan Royals, CSK was also banned for 2 years.

In the later years the former IPL Chairman, Lalit Modi accused players like Suresh Raina and Dwayne Bravo for accepting bribes. Moreover, the franchise has also found themselves in the mud due to conflict of interest charges and a few on-field incidents. In all CSK has been the epicentre of most of the IPL controversies.