The Indian Premier League (IPL) is by far the most followed league in the world, for cricket maniacs witness their favourite international stars from different countries playing with each other rather than against. Given the closely-fought nature of the tournament, we often had players getting into heated arguments with the umpire or opposition members. The sight, though, not encouraging, has been accepted as part and parcel of the game and teams now are taking that extra effort to ensure that no member in the squad crosses the line of discipline and competitiveness. In the below piece, we look at 5 players, who are known for their indiscipline in IPL history:
1. Gautam Gambhir
Having led KKR to 2 title wins in 2012 and 2014, Gambhir is the third most successful skipper in the history of the IPL. While the southpaw has been remembered for several match-winning knocks, providing his side with the psychological edge, there lies a side to the player which isn’t acceptable by any means.
During the 2016 season of the IPL, Gambhir was fined 15 per cent of his match fees for breaching the IPL Code of Conduct. He had accepted the Level 1 offence of abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment, or fixtures and fittings during an IPL game.
Apart from this, he was also involved in a heated argument with Virat Kohli during one of the clashes between KKR and RCB, rounding off the indiscipline side of his cricket.
2. Kieron Pollard
An integral member of the MI side since his purchase for the 2010 season, Pollard has hammered plenty of blitzkrieg knocks coming in the lower middle order and assisted his side in winning crucial encounters.
Given his passion and dedication for the game, the tall West Indian too was involved in a few ugly exchanges with the opposition players, showing his indiscipline towards the game. During an IPL match against RCB, Pollard attempted to throw the bat at Mitchell Starc, after being hyped and agitated to the core by the fiery Australian.
His act, though, didn’t go unnoticed as he was fined 75% of his match fees and was also charged under article 2.2.7 of the IPL’s Code of Conduct. Even after so many years, the incident is still remembered and that has indeed highlighted the ugly side of his personality.
3. Mitchell Starc
Known for his rip-roaring left-arm seam bowling, shattering opposition timbre and sometimes even hurting the players, Starc was recognized for the indiscipline he showed on the field playing for RCB in the 2 seasons.
It was the same incident involving Pollard where the pacer crossed the line comfortably, spoiling the gentlemen aspect of the game. Apparently, it was Starc who went up to the batsman and uttered some disgraceful words, trying to throw the batsman off his rhythm and concentration.
The act took an ugly turn as Starc threw the ball towards Pollard after the latter pulled off during the bowler’s follow-through. The episode, though unpleasant, has been etched in the minds of players and cricket lovers, who certainly wouldn’t like it to be repeated any time in the years to come.
4. Harbhajan Singh
The veteran Indian off-spinner, who dominated IPL cricket like no one else, Harbhajan was involved in an unexpected and intolerable incident with Sreesanth during the inaugural season of the league.
After the end of a league stage match between KXIP and MI, the world witnessed Harbhajan slapping the Kerala pacer and the latter crying bitterly in the aftermath of it. The finger spinner was fined 100% of his match fees and even suspended for the rest of the season.
MI’s coach, Lalchand Rajput too was fined 50% of his match fees for his involvement in the same and the entire episode went down as the most unforgettable chapter in the history of the tournament.
5. S Sreesanth
An important member of the Indian squad which won the T20 World Cup in 2007 and Cricket World Cup in 2011, Kerala’s very own Sreesanth is responsible for his own wrongdoing.
During the 2013 season of the IPL, the right-arm seamer was involved in a spot-fixing scandal along with his teammates Ankeet Chavan and Ajit Chandila, who were later banned for life by the BCCI.
Sreesanth, though, was handed a seven years ban and only recently returned to domestic cricket, playing in the SMAT 2021 for his state side Kerala. Despite being robbed off plenty of years of professional cricket, Sreesanth still hopes of making it to the Indian team and completing a full circle, ending his career at the highest point.
