IPL 2025 (Indian Premier League) season, the 18th edition of the tournament, has been marked by several controversies that have stirred debates both on and off the field.
Below is a detailed overview of the key controversies associated with IPL 2025 (Indian Premier League), based on available information:
1. Suspension Due to India-Pakistan Border Tensions
● Incident: IPL (Indian Premier League) 2025 season was suspended for one week starting May 9, 2025, due to escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, triggered by the Pahalgam terrorist attack and subsequent military conflicts, including drone and missile attacks. The suspension occurred mid-match during a clash between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals in Dharamsala, with the tournament resuming on May 17 after a ceasefire was announced.
● Impact: The suspension disrupted the tournament schedule, leading to a revised fixture list with the final rescheduled for June 3, 2025. Several overseas players, particularly from Australia and South Africa, faced uncertainty about returning due to safety concerns and commitments to the World Test Championship final. This led to concerns among franchises like Mumbai Indians, Punjab Kings, and Delhi Capitals about the availability of key players such as Mitchell Starc, Will Jacks, and Marco Jansen.
● Sentiment: Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer emphasized the “Indian” nature of the IPL, suggesting a focus on local talent amid doubts about foreign player participation.
2. Ball-Tampering Speculations Involving CSK
● Incident: During Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) opening match against Mumbai Indians, a viral video showed CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad and bowler Khaleel Ahmed in a suspicious moment where Ahmed was seen putting something in his pocket before the first delivery. Fans speculated about ball-tampering, alleging an unfair advantage for CSK at their home ground in Chepauk.
● Outcome: No official action was taken by the BCCI, and the videos circulating on social media were reportedly deleted, but the incident sparked significant online discussion and criticism.
3. Harbhajan Singh’s Racist Comment Controversy
● Incident: Former Indian spinner and commentator Harbhajan Singh faced backlash for a racially insensitive remark during a Mumbai Indians vs. Sunrisers Hyderabad match. Commenting on Jofra Archer’s expensive over (76 runs in four overs without a wicket), Harbhajan compared Archer’s performance to the “fast-running meters of London’s black taxis.
” The comment was widely criticized on social media as disrespectful and racially charged, with calls for his suspension from the commentary panel.
● Impact: The incident added to the off-field controversies in the tournament’s early days, highlighting issues of sensitivity in commentary.
4. Fan Violence at RR vs. KKR Match
● Incident: A violent altercation among spectators occurred during a Rajasthan Royals (RR) vs. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) match in Guwahati. A viral video captured fans engaging in a physical fight in the stands, requiring security intervention. The scuffle took place during RR’s innings after early wickets fell, possibly fueled by tense match situations and passionate fan rivalries.
● Outcome: It remains unclear whether the fight involved RR fans or rival supporters, but the incident underscored the intense emotions surrounding IPL matches and raised concerns about crowd management.
5. KKR vs. Eden Gardens Pitch Curator Dispute
● Incident: After Kolkata Knight Riders’ match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane subtly criticized the Eden Gardens pitch for not being spin-friendly, implying a preference for conditions favoring his team. In response, pitch curator Sujan Mukherjee clarified that pitches are prepared according to BCCI guidelines, and franchises have no say in pitch preparation.
● Impact: This exchange highlighted tensions between team management and ground authorities over pitch conditions, a recurring issue in the IPL.
IPL 2025 Mumbai Indians’ Thrilling Win
6. Exclusion of Bangladeshi Players in Auction
● Incident: During the IPL 2025 auction held on November 24–25, 2024, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, 13 Bangladeshi players were registered, and 12 were auctioned, but none were picked by any franchise. This exclusion prompted significant backlash from Bangladeshi fans and cricketers, who viewed it as unfair.
● Context: The decision was largely supported by Indian fans, who cited violence against Hindus in Bangladesh following the resignation of Sheikh Hasina on August 5, 2024, as a reason for the boycott. This geopolitical sentiment influenced team decisions, adding a layer of controversy to the auction process.
● Impact: The incident strained cricketing relations and highlighted how external political events can impact IPL dynamics.
7. Player Altercation: Digvesh Rathi vs. Abhishek Sharma
● Incident: A notable on-field clash occurred between Lucknow Super Giants spinner Digvesh Rathi and Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Abhishek Sharma during Match 61. The altercation led to Rathi receiving a one-match suspension for breaching the code of conduct.
● Context: Rathi’s “notebook” celebration had been a talking point throughout the season, and this incident added to the narrative of on-field tensions in IPL 2025.
8. Preity Zinta’s Reaction to Morphed Image
● Incident: Punjab Kings co-owner Preity Zinta publicly addressed a controversy involving a morphed image of her with an IPL player that went viral on social media. Zinta condemned the spread of fake news, expressing her frustration over the incident.
● Impact: This highlighted the challenges of managing misinformation and public perception in the digital age, particularly for high-profile figures associated with the IPL.
● Broader Context
The IPL has a history of controversies, and 2025 continues this trend. Past incidents, such as the 2013 spot-fixing scandal involving Sreesanth, Ajit Chandila, Ankeet Chavan, and team officials like Gurunath Meiyappan and Raj Kundra, as well as the 2008 Harbhajan Singh-Sreesanth “Slapgate,” set a precedent for high-profile controversies.
The 2025 season’s issues, ranging from geopolitical disruptions to on-field and off-field disputes, reflect the IPL’s complex interplay of sport, politics, and public sentiment.