CSK and Rajasthan Royals suspended for two years from IPL

A Supreme Court-appointed committee suspended former champions Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals from the Indian Premier League for two years on Tuesday as it presented its verdict on the spot-fixing and betting scandal that hit the T20 tournament in 2013.

ICC chief N Srinivasan’s son-in-law Gurunath Meiyappan and Rajasthan Royals co-owner Raj Kundra were suspended from any type of cricketing activity for life after they were found guilty of betting in the tournament. Srinivasan was earlier restricted from the court from running for another term as president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India owing to a conflict of interest. His company India Cements held a stake in the Chennai franchise.

“He (Meiyappan) is found guilty of betting, his conduct affected image of BCCI, the (T20) league and the game,” justice RM Lodha, who is heading the probe panel, said at a press conference on Tuesday.

“Raj Kundra was placing bets through a known punter and was constantly in touch with bookies,” Lodha added. “Rajasthan Royals have damaged the faith of BCCI and the sport, Mr Raj Kundra is found guilty of misconduct,” he said.

Lodha was appointed head of the sentencing panel in January after the Supreme Court had found Royals’ co-owner Kundra and CSK’s Meiyappan guilty of betting on the outcome of matches in 2013.

“Jaipur IPL team can’t shrink responsibility by saying Mr Kundra acted in personal capacity,” justice Lodha said.

The committee also proposed to impose sanctions on India Cement’s franchise by suspending it from the league for two years.