Corruption, Misuse Of Power: How N Srinivasan Brought Doom On CSK

Anurag Dasgupta

How Srinivasan doomed CSK [Source: @ShuhidAufridi/x.com] How Srinivasan doomed CSK [Source: @ShuhidAufridi/x.com]

On Wednesday, the former BCCI President, N Srinivasan, returned for a second stint with the Chennai Super Kings, as he was appointed the Chairman of Chennai Super Kings Cricket Limited (CSKCL), the entity that owns the mega franchise of CSK. He is back with the franchise, a decade and a half later, after he was the driving force behind the creation of one of the most successful IPL teams.

As one of the most powerful figures in sports, Srinivasan’s career has been marred with controversies, but none bigger than what transpired in 2013, and it also involved the Chennai Super Kings.

The CSK controversy which rocked N Srinivasan

Before Srinivasan’s tenure as the head of the Indian board, the BCCI’s clause 6.2.4 prohibited administrators from showcasing commercial interest in matches conducted by the board. However, post 2008, and with the introduction of IPL, this rule changed, and allowed Srinivasan to own the Super Kings franchise.

Five years after the inception of the IPL, the league was struck with a massive spot-fixing and betting scandals, and it created one of the darkest chapter in the league’s history.

Gurunath Meiyappan, Srinivasan’s son-in-law and the principal of CSK, was involved in the betting scandal and was arrested by the Police, as he passed sensitive information to the bookies. During the same period, Srinivasan was the BCCI President, and an outrage broke out, demanding the now 80-year-old to step down from the post. 

The Supreme Court of India looked into the matter, and it came to the conclusion that Srinivasan's dual role (BCCI President and owner of CSK) created a conflict of interest, and he should immediately step down from the role. Hence, after a lengthy legal battle, he resigned from the post, though he was later reinstated.

Not only in cricket, but Srinivasan was also accused of corruption related to his business activities.