What Happened The Last Time CSK Made Headlines For Fixing In IPL?

CSK Spot-fixing case in IPL 2013 (Source: AFP) An undercover sting operation on former Ranji Trophy player Rachit Bhatia has raised match-fixing allegations linked to the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and the Delhi Premier League (DPL).According to a report by Tehelka, Bhatia told a reporter posing as a bookmaker that he had fixed five IPL matches during the 2025 season by passing on CSK’s playing XI to bookmakers in London via Snapchat before the official announcement.Bhatia also indicated that his contact was not picked for the IPL 2026 season because of an injury, which he said ruled out the CSK plan for this year.The report does not name the CSK player Bhatia referred to, describing him only as a 23-year-old Ranji cricketer from Delhi whom Bhatia has known since the player was 18.As a result, the Chennai Super Kings announced a board meeting to investigate unverified allegations linking the franchise to a leak and match-fixing controversy.However, this isn’t the first time that something as scandalous as match-fixing has tarnished the Chennai-based franchise’s image.CSK, Rajasthan IPL betting and spot-fixing controversy in 2013In the 19 years since its inception, the Indian Premier League (IPL) has seen its fair share of controversies. However, the sixth season of the league, IPL 2013, threw up issues that the IPL had not witnessed as an entity since its inception.Players from 2 IPL teams, Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals, were alleged to have fixed games; team owners were found to be involved in betting; cricket administrators were accused of protecting perpetrators, and the highest judicial body in the country had to be summoned to fix the mess.The Arrest Of Top CSK OfficialThe IPL 2013 spot-fixing case came to light after the arrest of S Sreesanth, Ajit Chandila, and Ankeet Chavan, three cricketers representing Rajasthan Royals, on the charges of spot-fixing.Also Read: Ashish Nehra Rejected CSK Head Coach Role; Legend RevealsThe next major incident following this was the arrest of Gurunath Meyappan (son-in-law of then BCCI chairman and CSK owner N Srinivasan) on allegations of betting.Supreme Court Asked N. Srinivasan, CSK Owner To Step Down As BCCI PresidentAt the same time, the Supreme Court of India commanded N. Srinivasan to step down from his position as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) President in order to ensure a fair investigation into the betting and spot-fixing charges levied against his son-in-law, Gurunath Meyappan.This stemmed from the fact that issues regarding conflict of interest often led the BCCI to turn a blind eye to issues pertaining to the conduct of a few IPL owners, who are related to certain BCCI officials. Mudgal Committee found Srinivasan’s son-in-law Gurunath Meyappan guiltyThis was soon followed by the setting up of the Justice Mukul Mudgal Committee to look into allegations of corruption against Meyappan, Raj Kundra, the then part-owner of Rajasthan Royals, and others.The committee report found Gurunath Meiyappan guilty of betting and passing on team information during the IPL matches.Lodha Committee suspends CSKThe Lodha Committee was a high-profile panel appointed by the Supreme Court of India.Also Read: Zaheer Khan’s Record vs CSK In IPLThe committee was set up to further investigate the allegations of corruption against Meyyappan and Raj Kundra and also decide on the punishment that was to be meted out. It also looked into and suggested possible reforms in cricket governance in India.CSK and RR banned for 2 yearsEventually, in July 2015, Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals were found guilty in an illegal betting and match-fixing probe.As a result, the panel appointed by India’s Supreme Court suspended the top two Indian Premier League teams for 2 years.The panel also suspended Royals co-owner Raj Kundra and Gurunath Meiyappan of the Super Kings from all cricket-related activities for life.Eventually, one of the most successful IPL teams, CSK, made a comeback in 2018 and won their third IPL title by defeating Sunrisers Hyderabad by 8 wickets in the final.However, the then captain of CSK, MS Dhoni, called 2013 the most difficult phase of his life.Former India captain Dhoni was never personally implicated or charged in the 2013 IPL spot-fixing and betting scandal, but his name was dragged into subsequent legal and defamation battles.Also read: UPT20 Player Removed After BCCI Anti Corruption Tightens Grip On Match Fixing