Most IPL Match-Fixing Team Scandals: Full History, Updates & Impact | Winzap

At Winzap, we believe cricket fans deserve more than just highlights; they deserve the truth. The Indian Premier League (IPL), one of the world’s most celebrated sporting events, has brought us thrilling finishes, superstar players, and unforgettable rivalries. But behind the dazzling lights and massive fanfare, the league has faced some dark moments.

Today, we take a closer look at the biggest IPL match-fixing scandals, the teams involved, the controversies that shook the cricket world, and how the IPL rebuilt its integrity in the face of corruption.

What Is Match Fixing in Cricket?

Match fixing is when players, team management, or 3rd parties outsiders instruct or command to manipulate the desired result of a match for personal gain or financial purposes. It includes spot fixing (fixing a specific part of the game), underperforming, or providing insider information to betting syndicates.

Match fixing is not merely against the rules, it's against the law in most countries, including India. It murders the integrity of the game, deceives the supporters, and taints the history of cricket.

Top IPL Teams Involved in Match-Fixing Scandals

Let’s look at the most notorious scandals involving IPL teams and key figures over the years.

1. Chennai Super Kings (CSK) – 2013 Betting Scandal

The Chennai Super Kings, one of IPL’s most iconic franchises led by MS Dhoni, found itself in a massive scandal in 2013, not due to player misconduct, but because of its senior official, Gurunath Meiyappan.

What Happened:

Gurunath Meiyappan, son-in-law of then BCCI President N. Srinivasan was arrested by the Mumbai Police on charges of betting on IPL matches.
Though CSK players were not directly implicated, the association of a key team official with illegal betting led to a huge controversy.
The Justice Mukul Mudgal Committee and later the RM Lodha Committee conducted detailed investigations into the matter.

Consequences:

CSK was suspended for two seasons (2016–2017) along with the Rajasthan Royals.
Meiyappan was banned from all cricketing activities.
The scandal led to widespread media outrage and distrust among fans.

2. Rajasthan Royals – 2013 Spot-Fixing Scandal

In the same year, the Rajasthan Royals (RR) were hit even harder. RR had built a reputation for discovering young talent and were the inaugural IPL champions in 2008. But their image was shattered in 2013.

What Happened:

Three players—S. Sreesanth, Ajit Chandila, and Ankeet Chavan were arrested by Delhi Police on charges of spot-fixing.
The players allegedly agreed to concede a set number of runs in exchange for money from bookies.
Evidence included phone records, sting operations, and confession statements.

Consequences:

All three players were suspended by the BCCI. Sreesanth and Chavan received life bans, although Sreesanth's ban was later lifted in 2019 by the Supreme Court.
Rajasthan Royals were suspended for two seasons (2016–2017) alongside CSK.
The scandal deeply tarnished the team’s image and shook public faith in the IPL.

3. Delhi Daredevils – Allegations Without Proof (2010)

While not officially punished for fixing, the Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) were involved in minor controversies during the 2010 season.

Claims:

The sudden release of AB de Villiers after a strong performance raised suspicions among fans and insiders.
Rumors emerged about certain team members underperforming deliberately.
However, no concrete evidence or official investigation confirmed match-fixing.

Status:

The incident remains speculative and is mostly based on fan theories and media rumors. Still, it contributed to growing concerns about the integrity of IPL.

Legal Actions Taken & Impact on Indian Cricket

The match-fixing cases forced both the BCCI and Indian law enforcement to take strong action.

Key Legal Developments:

The Mumbai and Delhi Police investigated the betting networks, linking them to underworld syndicates.
Gurunath Meiyappan and several bookies were arrested.
The Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) was invoked in some cases.

BCCI’s Response:

Formed a three-member Lodha Committee to recommend reforms.
Introduced stricter codes of conduct for players and team officials.
Launched education programs to train players to avoid corrupt approaches.

Comebacks and Redemption Stories

Despite the stains, some teams fought back with grace.

🟡 CSK’s Glorious Return (2018):

After serving their ban, CSK returned in IPL 2018, led once again by MS Dhoni.
They won the championship, silencing critics and reigniting fan love.
It was one of the greatest redemption arcs in sports history.

🔵 Rajasthan Royals – Rebuilding Phase:

RR came back with a focus on nurturing young talent.
Stars like Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Jos Buttler helped restore credibility.
They reached the IPL final again in 2022, showing a long-term commitment to clean cricket.

Impact on Fans, Brands & the IPL

1. Fan Backlash:

The 2013 scandals sparked widespread outrage.
Social media exploded with hashtags like #FixPL, #CheatSuperKings, and #BetrayedByRoyals.

Many fans stopped watching or switched allegiance.

2. Sponsorship Crisis:

Brands distanced themselves from tainted franchises.
IPL lost its clean image, and TV viewership dipped for a while.

3. IPL's Image Management:

The league worked hard to restore trust.
Security was tightened, rules were rewritten, and education became mandatory for players.

IPL’s Anti-Corruption Measures in 2024–25

The IPL has since taken multiple steps to prevent future scandals:

Dedicated Anti-Corruption Units (ACU) for each team.
Whistleblower Portal for anonymous reporting.
Real-time monitoring of communication and transactions.
Mandatory workshops on ethics and match-fixing for all players and staff.

For fans who want to bet without worrying about shady operators, platforms like Winzap.vip offer legal, monitored, and transparent IPL betting options.

Recent Developments:

In 2024, the BCCI partnered with Interpol to track international betting syndicates.
Players are now restricted from using unauthorized communication devices during matches and training.

Expert Opinion: Is IPL Cleaner Today?

Yes. While complete elimination of risk is impossible, the IPL today is far more secure, transparent, and accountable than in its early days.

With:

Enhanced tech surveillance,
Education systems are in place,
And zero-tolerance policies by the BCCI,

… the chances of large-scale match-fixing have significantly dropped.

Conclusion

Match-fixing scandals dented the IPL’s reputation—but they also triggered reforms that made the league stronger. Teams like CSK and RR are living examples of how redemption is possible through discipline and clean competition.

At the end of the day, cricket is about trust, and it’s up to fans, players, and administrators to protect it.

At platforms like Winzap.vip, which follow transparent and legal betting practices, user protection is a top priority

FAQs

Which IPL team has faced the most serious match-fixing scandal?

The Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals were both banned for 2 years due to their involvement in the 2013 scandal.

Were any players given lifetime bans?

Yes, Ajit Chandila received a life ban. Sreesanth and Ankeet Chavan were banned but later got partial relief from the courts.

Is IPL match-fixing still happening?

The risk is always present, but the BCCI has implemented strong anti-corruption systems that greatly reduce the chances today.

What did the IPL do after the 2013 scandals?

The BCCI suspended teams, set up committees, improved anti-corruption laws, and enhanced player education.

Is it safe to bet on IPL matches now?

✅ Yes, but only through regulated platforms. At Winzap.vip, you can enjoy IPL betting with full transparency, legal compliance, and user-first protections in place.

Which is the IPL's fixing team?

The Chennai Super Kings and RRs are the clubs most commonly accused of major controversies and team sanctions.

Which team is most frequently accused of fixing?

Key personnel were implicated in the 2013 betting scandal, which led to repeated charges against Chennai Super Kings (CSK).

Does today's fixing still have an impact on the IPL?

Despite ongoing rumours, the BCCI and ICC have strengthened their anti-corruption policies, significantly reducing the likelihood of match rigging.

Which IPL team is the 1st fixer?

Based on their past issues, the public views Chennai Super Kings as the most prominent team in the IPL for match-fixing.

Which IPL team has the most fixes?

Regarding contentious cases and match-fixing bans in IPL history, CSK and RR are at the top.