- By Aditi Priya Singh
- Mon, 21 Apr 2025 06:00 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Top 10 Biggest Match Fixing Scandals In Indian Cricket: Match fixing is one of the darkest chapters in the history of Indian cricket. Over the years, several shocking scandals have surfaced, leaving fans devastated and raising doubts about the true nature of the game. In India, cricket is an emotion as much as a sport. Millions of people's trust is thus shaken when it is revealed that players or teams have tampered with games. The reputation of Indian cricket has suffered greatly as a result of these incidents, which have included everything from the banning of well-known players to the scrutiny of entire teams. While some scandals surfaced after thorough investigations, others were revealed through sting operations.
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For IPL 2025, all IPL stakeholders received a warning from the BCCI's Anti-Corruption Security Unit (ACSU) in April regarding a Hyderabad-based businessman who was allegedly trying to entice players, coaches and support staff to engage in corrupt practices. The person allegedly made an effort to make friends with team members and their families by inviting them to private events and giving them pricey presents. The ACSU asked all franchises, including Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), to be on the lookout and report any suspicious approaches, even though no particular team was directly implicated.
Top 10 Controversial Match-Fixing Scandals That Shook Indian Cricket And Its Fans
These events not only affected the careers of the players involved but also disappointed fans who worshipped them like heroes. In this article, we’ll look back at the top 10 biggest match-fixing scandals in Indian cricket that shocked the nation and changed the way fans viewed the game.
Alleged International Match Fixing Scandals By Indian Cricketers
1. Mohammad Azharuddin - Bookmaking Fixing Scandal
Mohammad Azharuddin, the former captain of India, was accused of match-fixing and working with bookmakers in 2000. It is said that he introduced bookies to players. Consequently, the BCCI banned him for life; however, the Andhra Pradesh High Court lifted the ban in 2012.
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2. Ajay Sharma
Ajay Sharma, a former domestic cricketer and Delhi player, was banned for life in 2000 due to his involvement in match-fixing. He was named in the CBI report alongside Azharuddin for having links with bookies and manipulating matches. In September 2014, the ban was lifted by the Delhi district court. Currently, he is running multiple franchises of the laundry and dry-cleaning brand UClean in Delhi NCR and Punjab.
3. Ajay Jadeja
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Top 10 biggest match fixing scandals in indian cricket (Image: Instagram)
In the same year 2000, Ajay Jadeja, a stylish Indian all-rounder from the 1990s, was accused of his involvement in match fixing, which led the BCCI to ban him for life, but later it was reduced to five years. Even though the Delhi High Court lifted the ban in 2003, his international career never recovered. However, he does commentary for cricket.
4. Manoj Prabhakar
Once an all-rounder for India, Manoj Prabhakar was banned in 1999 after he participated in an exposé of match-fixing by the Tehelka news group. However, he ended up being accused himself by the BCCI and banned from playing Indian cricket team. He was even dismissed from his coaching role in 2011 with the Delhi cricket team after he publicly criticised the players and selectors.
Shocking IPL Match Fixing Scandals Of All Time
5. S. Sreesanth – IPL 2013 Fixing Scandal
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Top 10 biggest match fixing scandals in indian cricket (Image: Instagram)
In 2013, Indian fast bowler S. Sreesanth was arrested during the IPL while playing for the Rajasthan Royals for spot-fixing. He was banned for life by the BCCI but later had the ban lifted in 2019 after a Supreme Court verdict.
6. CSK Fixing Scandal
The Chennai Super Kings were suspended for two years (2016 and 2017) due to the involvement of team official Gurunath Meiyappan in betting and leaking team information during IPL 2013, who was also the Son-in-law of then BCCI president N.Srinivasan. The scandal rocked the league and led to major reforms.
7. Rajasthan Royals Scandal
In the same IPL 2013 season, the Rajasthan Royals faced controversy as three of their players were caught in spot-fixing. The team was also suspended for two years (2016–2017) along with CSK for the team management's role in illegal betting.
8. Ankit Chavan
Ankit Chavan, a left-arm spinner for the Rajasthan Royals, was arrested for spot-fixing in 2013. He confessed to the crime and was banned for life by the BCCI. In 2021, the ban was reduced, and he was allowed to play local cricket again.
9. Amit Yadav and Abhinav Bali Spot Fixing
In 2012, Kings XI Punjab players Amit Yadav and Abhinav Bali were among five domestic players caught in a sting operation by a TV channel accepting money to fix matches in the IPL. Both were banned by the BCCI from participating in any official events for a set period.
10. Amit Singh – Rajasthan Royals
Amit Singh, a former Rajasthan Royals player who turned out to be one of the bookies, played a crucial role in connecting cricketers with bookies in IPL 2013. He was arrested and later banned by the BCCI for his involvement in the scandal.