>
The Infamous Controversies
Regarded as the underdogs in the cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL), Rajasthan Royals have always been enveloped by one controversy or another. Yet, they never allowed such distractions to deter them from their ultimate aim – playing good cricket and winning matches.
The 2010 Player Auctions Scandal
In what marked the beginning of a constant tryst with controversies, Rajasthan found itself tangled in an auction scandal during IPL’s third edition in 2010. The franchise was accused of violating contractual agreements when it decided to let go off certain players before their designated contracts had lapsed.
- Negligence towards Contracts: From its inception, IPL drew strict lines concerning player contracts. Teams were obliged to abide by these restrictions; however, failure on Royals’ part led them right into their first-ever hall of notoriety.
- Auction Bullying: It got worse for the Royals as allegations arose about ‘auction bullying’. Allegedly, they employed unfair means at player auctions which resulted in several disputes among rival franchises.
The Spot Betting imbroglio in 2013
In perhaps the darkest phase for both the team and IPL, three Rajasthan Royals’ cricketers- Sreesanth, Ankit Chavan and Ajit Chandila were arrested over spot-fixing charges mid-way through season six. This tarnished not only the image of the involved individuals but also raised questions about the credibility of IPL and its teams.
- Breaking Trust: For millions of fans around India who revere cricket as religion, this incident came as a huge shockwave eroding their trust in their beloved sport and raising suspicion about the integrity of cricket.
- Legal consequences: Post investigations, all three players were handed life bans by BCCI. This meant a premature end to their careers and also added to Rajasthan Royals’ existing credentials as a controversial team.
The 2015 Suspension Saga
Just when the dust seemed to settle post-2013, the franchise found itself implicated in another case involving illegal betting and match-fixing during IPL’s eighth edition. Co-owner Raj Kundra’s involvement with underground bookies came under scrutiny leading to the suspension of the team from two consecutive seasons (2016 and 2017).
- Suspension: Supreme Court-appointed Lodha Committee enforced ban on both Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings for infringing upon guidelines and tarnishing the image of IPL – thereby taking considerable heat from fans and media alike.
- Raj Kundra Incident: With this revelation around co-owner Raj Kundra’s role, questions began pouring over effective management within the Royals camp. Not only did it lead to embarrassment but also put immense pressure going forward.
Rajasthan Royal’s Rise Above Them
Battling such bleak circumstances required courage, resolute determination, strategic planning, and most importantly belief in oneself. That was exactly what Royals showcased while clawing their way back into contention post controversies.
A New Dawn Ahead: The Return in 2018
Returning after a two-year hiatus required more than just rebuilding; it needed restructuring that catered towards creating a robust base ready to tackle challenges head-on.
- New Management: The first step was bringing forth new personnel at helm – Manoj Badale took up responsibilities as principal owner then which reflected in Royals’ disciplined manner of functioning.
- Player Selection: While player selection seemed a task given Roy’s reputation, they never failed to attract talented and promising players. In fact, Rajasthan has been famous for scouting raw talents and molding them into first-rate cricketers.
Straight Outta Controversies: The 2019 Season
In the following season too, despite all odds and coming out from the shadows of a tainted past, Rajasthan held their heads high, played their natural game with such grace that supporters couldn’t help but start rooting for them once again.
- Auspicious Start: With an impressive victory against Sunrisers Hyderabad in their opening match, hinting at good things to come.
- Royals’ Resolve: Throughout the tournament it was evident – be it through captaincy or field strategies where they initiated plans quickly on-field showcasing how far they’ve really risen from controversies.
The Current Scenario
While dealt with severe blows over years due to instances beyond control like changing team composition based on availability during World cup 2019 and injuries mid-season during IPL 2020; they’ve managed steadily under confounding circumstances blooming late yet finishing strong overall.
In conclusion, while controversy seems embedded within the very existence of Rajasthan Royals so does resilience shine brighter each time adversity strikes as rightly said “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger” – true words personifying Royals remarkable journey over the years convincingly silencing critics and ne’er-do-wells alike.
