QPlay: 2 Yr Suspension for CSK and RR, India Win ODI Series & More

All the latest sports news in The Quint’s morning wrap.

File picture of the Rajasthan Royals team which has been suspended for 2 years by the Supreme Court-appointed Justice Lodha Committee. (Photo: PTI)

Former Champions CSK and RR Suspended for Two Years

Star-studded Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals have been suspended from the IPL for two years for the betting activities of their key officials Gurunath Meiyappan and Raj Kundra during the 2013 season.

The punishment was handed down by a Supreme Court- appointed three-member committee, headed by former Chief Justice of India R M Lodha, putting a spanner on the high- profile T20 league, which began in 2008.

In view of the fact that due to the act of Gurunath Meiyappan - who happened to be the son-in-law of Shri N Srinivasan-  the purity of the game has been affected and the contribution made by the franchisee has also been wasted because millions of true lovers of the game feel cheated.
– Justice RM Lodha

Son-in-law of the then BCCI chief N Srinivasan, Meiyappan, a former Team Principal CSK and Kundra, co-owner of Jaipur IPL that runs Rajasthan Royals, were suspended for life from any matches conducted by BCCI.

On its part, the BCCI has called an emergent meeting of its working committee to discuss the future course of action.

Raj Kundra arrives at his residence in Mumbai, hours after the IPL spot-fixing verdict was announced. (Photo: ANI)

Kundra Says “Washed My Hands of Cricket in India” but India Cements to Appeal

Following the Lodha committee’s ruling, Raj Kundra -banned from cricket for life- released a statement saying he has washed his hands of cricket in India.

I also find it very unfair that the full team, the other owners, the players and the fans have been so harshly treated for the alleged actions of one minority stakeholder.
– Raj Kundra

India Cements Ltd, owner of Chennai Super Kings is planning to move the Supreme Court against the order of the court appointed committee suspending the team from Indian Premier League for two years.

Top sources in the company said they held discussions on the Lodha committee recommendations and decided they would approach the apex court seeking relief.

(File photo: PTI)

OP-ED - The IPL Verdict: Indian Cricket’s Swachh Bharat Moment?

Indian cricket’s tryst with destiny is here. This is the moment when Indian cricket could change forever.

What the Justice Lodha committee verdict has done is present a viable long-term solution to the way sport ought to be run in the country. Gone are the days of the honorary ‘loving the sport without any accountability’ officials. Here comes the opportunity to change the grammar of sports administration forever.

This could well be a Satyam moment in Indian cricket, where in one big power house was failed by its promoters and then the corporate bigwigs with integrity stepped in to set the system right.

Indian cricket could well be in that zone and may be presented as an example for all other sporting bodies. Getting in retired players to run the sport is not the solution. Rather, it is an opportunity to bring in corporate governance which will help deliver long-term stakeholder confidence.

For the complete piece, click here.

(Photo: AP)

Jadhav’s 105 and Debutant Pandey Guide India To 3-0 Whitewash

A maiden century from Kedar Jadhav helped India complete a clean-sweep of the three-match one-day International series in Zimbabwe with an 83-run victory at Harare Sports Club on Tuesday.

Sent in to bat, India made a cautious start before Jadhav blazed an unbeaten 105 from 87 balls to propel the tourists to 276 for five in their 50 overs.

The home side lost wickets at regular intervals and were bowled out for 193 in the 43rd over.

For the full match report, click here.

(Photo: AP)

Watson Dropped For Second Ashes Test - Report

Shane Watson has been dropped from the Australian team for this week’s second Ashes test against England and will be replaced by fellow all-rounder Mitchell Marsh, the Sydney Morning Herald reported on Wednesday.

Watson’s place in the side for the Lord’s test, which starts on Thursday, was called into question after he was twice dismissed lbw after scoring a total of 49 runs and failing to take a wicket in the lost opening test in Cardiff.

The tourists will already be without another experienced former vice captain after wicketkeeper Brad Haddin asked to be omitted from the second test for personal reasons. He will be replaced by debutant Peter Nevill.

James Faulkner was adjudged the Man-of-the-match for his 3/36 in the 2015 World Cup final. (Photo: AP)

Caught Drunk-driving, Faulkner Banned by CA

Aussie all-rounder James Faulkner will miss the upcoming ODI tour of British Isles after he was suspended by Cricket Australia (CA) for being charged with drunk-driving in England.

The 25-year-old received a four match ban and will not be able to play against Ireland and England in late August and September this year after he returned a reading of 100 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath, with the legal limit in the UK being 35mg.

(Photo: PTI)

Wimbledon Champ Sania Mirza Returns Home

Having won the Wimbledon women’s doubles crown with Martina Hingis over the weekend, Indian tennis star Sania Mirza returned home to Hyderabad on Tuesday to a hero’s welcome.

Sania became the first Indian to clinch the Wimbledon women’s doubles title when she, along with Martina Hingis beat Ekaterina Makarova and Elena Vesnina 5-7 7-6 (4) 7-5 in the final on Saturday.

“It’s a childhood dream coming true for me to win the Wimbledon title,” she said proudly displaying the coveted trophy.