Is IPL Scripted? - The Truth Behind The IPL

Source - jagran.com

One of the hottest topics of current events is the IPL series. IPL stands for the Indian Premier League, which is a professional Twenty20 cricket league in India. It was founded in 2008 and is contested by eight teams representing different cities in India. The league has a franchise model, meaning that the teams are privately owned and operate under the rules set by the IPL.

The IPL has become one of the most popular and lucrative cricket leagues in the world, with millions of fans tuning in to watch matches both in India and around the globe. The league attracts some of the biggest names in cricket, both from India and abroad, and has helped to raise the profile of the sport in the country.

Each season of the IPL runs for several weeks, with teams playing each other in a round-robin format followed by knockout matches. The league has become known for its high-scoring matches, with many players setting records for individual performance.

The IPL has also had a significant impact on the business of cricket, with the league generating billions of dollars in revenue through broadcasting deals, sponsorships, and merchandise sales. Despite some controversies over the years, the IPL remains a hugely popular and influential sporting event in India and around the world.

But after many commonalities like RCB not winning a single cup even after Virat Kohli being the captain or anything else, IPL has been under one huge question mark.

Is IPL scripted?

Is it not?

Let’s see.

Infamous IPL Scandals

There have been several instances of match-fixing and other corrupt activities in the IPL over the years. Here are some notable examples:

1. 2013 IPL spot-fixing scandal: This was one of the biggest controversies in the history of the IPL. Several players, including three from the Rajasthan Royals team, were arrested on charges of spot-fixing. The players were accused of taking money to perform specific actions during matches, such as bowling no-balls at specific times.

2. 2015 IPL betting scandal: In 2015, the Chennai Super Kings and the Rajasthan Royals were suspended from the IPL for two years following a betting scandal. The team owners were accused of being involved in illegal betting activities, and two team officials were arrested on charges of match-fixing.

3. 2018 ball-tampering scandal: During a match between the Rajasthan Royals and the Kolkata Knight Riders in 2018, the Rajasthan Royals captain, Ajinkya Rahane, was accused of attempting to change the condition of the ball. Rahane was fined and given a one-match ban.

4. Other allegations: Over the years, there have been various other allegations of match-fixing, spot-fixing, and other corrupt activities in the IPL. These have included claims of players being paid to underperform, team owners attempting to influence match results, and illegal betting operations.

It is worth noting that the IPL organizers and the Indian cricket board have taken steps to prevent and punish corrupt activities in the league, and the vast majority of IPL matches are played fairly and competitively.

Take Of The Players On The Controversy

There have been some cricketers who have made comments about the IPL being scripted or influenced by outside factors. However, it is important to note that these claims are typically made without any evidence to back them up, and are often dismissed by both the IPL organizers and the wider cricketing community.

For example, in 2018, former South African cricketer Herschelle Gibbs made comments on Twitter suggesting that the outcome of an IPL match had been predetermined. However, these claims were quickly dismissed by the IPL organizers and other cricketing figures, who pointed out that there was no evidence to support Gibbs' claims.

Similarly, in 2013, Australian cricketer David Hussey suggested in an interview that the IPL was "a bit of a staged event". However, he later clarified that he did not mean that matches were scripted, but rather that there was a lot of hype and spectacle surrounding the league.

Overall, while there have been some claims of scripting or other corrupt activities in the IPL, these have been relatively rare and are typically met with skepticism and investigation. The vast majority of IPL matches are played fairly and competitively, and the league remains a highly respected and popular sporting event around the world.

I have seen cricket, especially IPL with an antique focus and often it keeps me at the edge of my chair. Often around the last over, there often comes a twist. Who is going to win? Who will have a wicket? And much more.

The way it keeps you hooked as if a drama series, makes one question if IPL is really scripted. The answer seems ambiguous but only one conclusion comes up, seeing the comments and scandals.

No, IPL is not scripted. The matches in the IPL are played competitively by professional cricketers who aim to win the game for their team. The outcome of each match is determined by the performance of the players on the day, and it is not predetermined or scripted in any way.

However, there have been some instances of corruption and match-fixing in the IPL, where individuals have sought to manipulate the outcome of matches for personal gain. The organizers of the IPL and the Indian cricket board have taken measures to prevent and punish such actions, including imposing strict regulations and penalties on players and officials found to be involved in such activities.

It is important to note that any allegations of match-fixing or scripting in the IPL should be taken seriously and investigated thoroughly. However, the vast majority of IPL matches are played fairly and competitively, and the league remains a highly popular and respected sporting event around the world. 

Written by - Anushka Dabhade