The 2013 IPL spot fixing scandal had totally rocked the Indian cricket and had sent shocking waves across the BCCI. Some of the cricketers were not just banned for their alleged involvement in the scandal, but the criminal charges were imposed on them as well.
The controversy revolved around two franchises – Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings.
While in the case of CSK, it was only one of their officials who was accused of being involved in betting and the players weren’t directly accused, it was different in Rajasthan’s case where the players were directly accused of being linked with the bookies.
Ajit Chandila, Ankeet Chavan and Shanthakumaran Sreesanth were the three cricketers who were banned after the IPL 2013 spot fixing scandal. Let’s find out where they are now –
#1 Ajit Chandila
Ajit Chandila, who was 29 years of age at that stage, used to bowl a bit of mystery spin for Rajasthan and was mostly used with the new ball.
Chandila’s performance for Rajasthan was very satisfactory and nobody could have ever thought he was doing something suspicious, but he was suddenly arrested from the Rajasthan team hotel one night.
Chandila was alleged to be following the instructions of the bookies in the middle of the game. It was also alleged Chandila was trying to involve more Rajasthan players in spot fixing.
After Chandila’s arrest, his IPL contract was first suspended and then terminated by Rajasthan Royals and he was also banned from playing domestic or international cricket for India. However, Chandila managed to save the Air India job that he had. He is still an Air India employee.
Chandila later got a clean chit in the spot fixing case from Delhi court, but the life ban on him stays.
#2 Ankeet Chavan
It was alleged that Ankeet Chavan, who was another Rajasthan Royals player, had intentionally bowled bad balls to make sure that the opposition batsmen scored 15 runs in an over against him as the bookies wanted.
Ankeet, who was a left arm spinner, was also arrested on the same night as Chandila. At the time he was arrested, Ankeet was not only doing well in the IPL, but he was a very decent performer in domestic cricket as well for Mumbai.
Like Chandila, Ankeet was also given a clean chit by Delhi court later, but the ban is still imposed on him and he can’t play cricket at a professional level. A few months ago, Ankeet appealed to the BCCI to “reconsider” his life ban.
#3 Shanthakumaran Sreesanth
Sreesanth was the only cricketer who got his life ban lifted after he was given a clean chit by the court. Sreesanth is now free to play domestic as well as international cricket for India if he is picked in the team.
The veteran fast bowler, who won two World Cups with the Indian team, might put his name in the next IPL auction as well. Sreesanth is also likely to feature for his home state Kerala in the upcoming Ranji Trophy.
