The A to Z of IPL Controversies

By Sunil Rajguru

A for Australia

Anyone remember that the Aussies had the biggest problems at the beginning of IPL? There were issues regarding the protection of Baggy Green sponsors and availability of the players with certain tours. Our relations with Cricket Australia were at an all-time low.

A is also for Andrew Symonds who got a record price in the first auction raising a lot of eyebrows and people wondered how he would fare in the IPL. Now Symmo is on his way to becoming a desi and no-one will bat an eyelid if any Aussies takes Indian citizenship.

B for Betting

When cricket is played in India, can rumours of betting be far behind? After the Modi-Tharoor spat, everyone is talking about it again.

A recent Forbes report puts the illegal cricket-related betting annually at a whopping Rs 160,000 crores. How much of that is IPL related?

The Karnataka Home Minister called the shifting of the semis from Bangalore to Mumbai a result of the ''powerful betting lobby''. Even the I-T raids that are taking place on the premises of BCCI and IPL have a betting angle to them.

One hopes that nothing comes out of all this for a Betting Scandal has the potential to be the biggest game-killer of them all.

C for Cheerleaders

They have been controversial right from the beginning, but they continue to charm the crowds. The all-white cheerleaders have raised many an eyebrows in a past edition of IPL. A row was kicked up over two coloured ones being sent home. No case was filed. Various groups at various times have protested against them while there have been uproars in political assemblies too. Bans have been demanded. But Indian or not, they are here to stay.

Image: Cheerleaders at the 2010 DLF Indian Premier League T20 group stage match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Deccan Chargers played at Eden Gardens Stadium on April 1, 2010 in Kolkata