Credit: Fantasy IPL SN / Fantasy IPL SN

IPL Controversies

With only 5 days left for the World’s Largest T20 tournament to start there is a rise in controversies associated with it. Indian Premier League (IPL) which started in year 2008 will witness its 10th edition this year in April. Total of 8 franchises will compete to be the winner of VIVO IPL10 which starts from April 5. Season 8 of IPL was fallout for two franchises viz. Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings as few of the team members were associated with spot-fixing scandals. This gave rise to two new franchises Rising Pune Supergiants and Gujarat Lions replacing them which played their first IPL last year. This year IPL is celebrating its completion of 10 years, #10saalaapkenaam anthem was released earlier this month as a tribute to IPL fans. However, all does not seem well with IPL Season 10. Here is the list of controversies you need to know about IPL2017.

1. MS Dhoni sacked as a captain for RPS; Smith replaces him

Rising Pune Supergiants which played their maiden game last year in IPL Season 10 managed to win only 5 out of the 14 matches under the captaincy of our beloved skipper MSD. So this year franchisee decided to replace him by Australian captain Steve Smith. The 27-year-old cricketer was appointed as Australian Test captain in 2014/2015 and took over as ODI captain after the end of 2015 world cup. RPS however has retained Dhoni and sources have confirmed that he will support Smith in leading the team to victory.

2. Hyderabad will not see any more of IPL this year

Sunrisers Hyderabad won the IPL Winner title last year and thus the opening and final match of IPL10 was supposed to be hosted in Hyderabad. However, over 120 employees including the grounds men of HCA are on strike since the first week of March as their two months salaries are yet to be paid by the state cricket board. Apart from the opening ceremony and final match, city was supposed to host eight matches this year. HCA is currently facing a cash drought situation and is looking towards BCCI for help. However, BCCI counsel Priyadarshan said that BCCI had released money to cricket bodies in various states but could not give it to HCA as they failed to furnish details of vendors.

After a recent change in schedule of few matches due to Delhi Municipal Elections chances are Sunrisers Hydereabd will play all their home matches at Raipur.

3. Dale Steyn will not be a part of IPL10

The South African Pacer who has been associated with the cash-rich league since so many years has ruled himself out from IPL 2017. Steyn suffered a shoulder injury after the first match against Australia last year at Perth and was asked to take rest for the next six months. Steyn had previously played for Royal Challengers Bangalore, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Deccan Chargers was part of Gujarat Lions last year but managed to play only one match.

As per the sources Steyn confirmed his absence from IPL season 10 during December last year, but had to reconfirm the same via tweet for his fans who still were in hope to see him in action. Gujarat Lions has bought Munaf Patel for 30 lakhs this year to trying filling his boots. The decision doesn’t seem wise as Munaf Patel has not played a single international match since 2011.

4. Smith in no mood to take captaincy tips from Dhoni

After losing the Test series against India by 2-1, Smith was seen at the launch of Rising Pune Supergiants new jersey. While speaking to media Smith made it clear that he will lead RPS in his own terms despite Dhoni, Faf Du Plesis and Rahane being in the team. He however assured that he will be open to suggestions.

" I have plenty of guys to talk to, but I will not seek to many opinions. Seeking too many opinions can cloud your own judgement. I want to try and stay as clear as possible. But yes, if someone sees something and feels the need to point it out to me, they are more than welcome," he said.

"It is great to have so many leaders in the team from around the world and I believe it will make my job easier. There should be no hindrance," he added.

5. Harsha Bhogle to return on TV

After serving almost a year of exile Harsha Bhogle is all set to return to commentary, as per a report in Mumbai Mirror. It is learnt that the decision of Harsha to be brought back in IPL season 10 is to fill up the absence of Pakistani experts Ramiz Raja, Waqar Younis and Shoaib Akhtar due to the current tension between India and Pakistan. Change in the apex of BCCI also turned the decision to be in favour of Harsha Bhogle.

Harsha was surprisingly dropped out from the commentary team of IPL 9 last year after T20 World Cup. Formal reasons from BCCI was never received on this matter, it was however speculated that it was Harsha’s harsh comments on Indian Players for their underperformance and appraisal of the opposition team which landed him out of commentary box.

All eyes are set to see the 10th edition to start but fans are also keeping a watch on how many more of such controversies will arise about IPL Season 10. Cheers!!