Which is the No. 1 Fixing Team in IPL?

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is one of the most popular and lucrative T20 cricket leagues in the world, attracting top players, massive viewership, and huge sponsorship deals. However, along with its success, the IPL has also been tainted by match-fixing and betting scandals, leading to suspensions, lifetime bans, and legal actions.

So, which team is the No. 1 fixing team in IPL history? Based on historical records, the Rajasthan Royals (RR) emerge as the most infamous franchise associated with match-fixing, with direct involvement of players in the 2013 IPL spot-fixing scandal. Let’s explore the details.

A Look at IPL’s Biggest Fixing Scandals

The 2013 IPL Spot-Fixing Scandal

In 2013, the IPL was rocked by a massive fixing scandal involving players from Rajasthan Royals (RR) and illegal betting activities related to Chennai Super Kings (CSK). However, what makes Rajasthan Royals the No. 1 fixing team in IPL is the direct involvement of their players in spot-fixing, leading to arrests, lifetime bans, and franchise suspension.

Rajasthan Royals (RR) – The No. 1 Fixing Team in IPL

The Rajasthan Royals (RR) franchise is considered the most controversial IPL team due to the 2013 match-fixing scandal, where three of its players were found guilty of spot-fixing.

Players Involved in the Fixing Scandal:

• S. Sreesanth (Fast Bowler)
• Ankeet Chavan (Spinner)
• Ajit Chandila (All-rounder)

How the Fixing Was Exposed?

• Delhi Police arrested the three players for allegedly agreeing to bowl no-balls in exchange for money from bookies.
• Phone conversations and secret recordings were used as evidence to prove the involvement of players in fixing matches.
• Bookies instructed players on which deliveries to bowl as no-balls in return for money.

Punishments & Consequences:

• S. Sreesanth was given a lifetime ban, which was later reduced to 7 years.
• Ankeet Chavan and Ajit Chandila also received lifetime bans from cricket.
• Rajasthan Royals was banned for two years (2016-2017) from IPL due to the involvement of team officials in illegal betting.

This direct player involvement in match-fixing is what makes Rajasthan Royals the No. 1 fixing team in IPL history.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) – A Team in Controversy but Not No. 1 Fixing Team

While Chennai Super Kings (CSK) was also banned for two years (2016-2017), their case was related to team officials’ involvement in illegal betting, not direct match-fixing by players.

CSK’s Betting Controversy:

• Gurunath Meiyappan, a high-profile team official of CSK and son-in-law of then-BCCI president N. Srinivasan, was found guilty of betting on IPL matches.
• Meiyappan’s illegal activities led to CSK’s suspension for two seasons, but there was no evidence that CSK players were involved in match-fixing.

Why CSK Is Not the No. 1 Fixing Team?

• No players from CSK were found guilty of match-fixing.
• The scandal involved team officials engaging in betting, not manipulating match outcomes.

Thus, while CSK faced serious allegations, it does not surpass Rajasthan Royals when it comes to direct involvement in fixing, making RR the No. 1 fixing team in IPL history.

A Timeline of IPL Match-Fixing Scandals

Year	Team(s) Involved	Players/Officials Involved	Details
2012	N/A	5 domestic Indian cricketers	Arrested for alleged spot-fixing and illegal betting activities.
2013	Rajasthan Royals (RR)	S. Sreesanth, Ankeet Chavan, Ajit Chandila	Arrested for spot-fixing allegations; given bans.
2013	Chennai Super Kings (CSK)	Gurunath Meiyappan (Team Official)	Arrested on charges of betting and passing on team info to bookies.
2015	CSK & RR	N/A	Both teams suspended for two years due to involvement in the 2013 betting scandal.
2019	N/A	Pakistani bookies	Several arrests were made, highlighting the continued threat of match-fixing.

BCCI’s Measures to Prevent Match-Fixing in IPL

Following these controversies, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) implemented stricter anti-corruption measures to ensure fair play in the IPL.

Actions Taken by BCCI:

1. Strengthening the Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU):
   • Close monitoring of player activities and communication.
2. Harsh Punishments for Corrupt Players & Officials:
   • Lifetime bans and criminal cases against guilty individuals.
3. Real-Time Monitoring of Matches:
   • Use of technology to detect suspicious betting patterns and sudden shifts in gameplay.
4. Education Programs for Players:
   • Awareness sessions to educate players on the dangers of match-fixing and illegal betting.

These steps have helped restore the credibility of the IPL in recent years.

Conclusion: Rajasthan Royals – The No. 1 Fixing Team in IPL History

After analyzing the biggest match-fixing scandals in IPL, it is clear that the Rajasthan Royals (RR) franchise is the No. 1 fixing team in IPL history due to:
✅ Direct involvement of players (Sreesanth, Ankeet Chavan, Ajit Chandila) in spot-fixing.
✅ 2013 scandal leading to bans, arrests, and a two-year suspension for RR.
✅ IPL’s biggest match-fixing controversy centered around RR, making them the most tainted team.

While Chennai Super Kings (CSK) faced serious allegations, their scandal was limited to team officials engaging in betting, not direct match-fixing.

With BCCI’s strict anti-corruption policies, the IPL has moved past its darkest chapter, but Rajasthan Royals’ name remains synonymous with fixing scandals in the league’s history.