Besides being the greatest marriage between cricket and Bollywood, the IPL has its own shares of controversies as well.
No crowd at the stadium yet again, but fans are excited for the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 which is all set to being from April 9.
The IPL will remain domestic cricket's biggest extravaganza as from celebrities bonding with ace cricketers to ultra-rich franchises turning promising talents into household names, the cash-rich league will always serve as the biggest entertainment for fans.
Besides being the greatest marriage between cricket and Bollywood, the IPL has its own shares of controversies as well.
As the cash-rich league is no stranger to disputes and confrontations, a look at IPL's infamous controversies.
1. MS Dhoni losing his cool and walking onto the field
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It was during the match between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) in IPL 2019 when Mahendra Singh Dhoni lost his bearings on the cricket field for the very first time.
He was seen rushing into the field of play to confront Indian umpire Ulhas Gandhe for not signalling a no-ball. A clear waist-high no-ball to Santner was ruled out by umpire Ulhas Gandhe after trying to raise his arm.
This prompted an angry Dhoni to enter the ground and blast Gandhe before leg umpire Bruce Oxenford calmed him and sent him back.
Dhoni was later fined 50% of his match fees for this rather uncharacteristic behaviour.
2. Jos Buttler 'mankaded' by R Ashwin
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In the match between Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) opener, Jos Buttler had become the first victim of 'Mankading' in the history of the IPL.
A desperate KXIP skipper Ravichandran Ashwin had dismissed the batsman in a controversial manner during their IPL match.
Buttler was going strong at 69 off 43 balls while chasing 185 runs. Ashwin mankaded the batsman without giving him any warning.
Buttler seemed furious and was seen having a heated exchange with Ashwin before leaving the field after the third umpire ruled him out.
While the out was within the rules of the game, the wicket of Buttler created a big controversy. Many even called the action against the spirit of the game.
3. Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli involved in ugly spat
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Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli were involved in a verbal spat during the IPL 2013 game between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
After Kohli's dismissal, both talismanic players confronted each other and later had to be separated by Indian cricketer Rajat Bhatia.
The sledging incident involving Gambhir and Kohli unfold another infamous episode in the cash-rich league at the time.
4. When Shah Rukh was banned from Wankhede
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Bollywood legend and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) co-owner Shah Rukh Khan in 2012, saw him get banned from gracing the monumental Wankhede Stadium in the wake of his alleged scuffle with security guards.
The Bollywood icon was then banned from entering Wankhede Stadium for a period of five years.
5. Kieron Pollard flips his bat in the air
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It was the final match between Mumbai Indians (MI) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK), and an annoyed Kieron Pollard took strike near the tramline before nearly leaving the pitch, attracting the ire of the umpires in Hyderabad.
Bowling the final over of the MI innings, Dwayne Bravo, finding birthday boy Pollard shuffle repeatedly towards the off-stump from his one-leg guard, cleverly bowled fuller deliveries outside the 'tramline' (marked for wide balls) for three dot balls.
On all three occasions, straight umpire Nitin Menon didn't signal wide as expected. After the third dot delivery, Pollard's frustration was evident as he flipped his bat in the air even though he didn't utter a word.
Just as Bravo got into his stride to bowl the fourth delivery, Pollard was seen leaving the stumps open and kept walking towards the side of the crease.
The umpires had to then immediately interven as Ian Gould, from square leg, and Menon, walked towards him to reprimand the senior player for his gesture, which was against the spirit of the game.
