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Rinku Singh told to pay 5 crores; list of Indian cricketers who have been threatened in the past

Abhinav Tyagi

Sachin Tendulkar for India in 2010 - (Source: AFP)Sachin Tendulkar for India in 2010 - (Source: AFP)

On Thursday, October 9, a shocking event took over the internet where Indian cricketer Rinku Singh received a threat from the underworld, who demanded a five crore ransom for ensuring his safety.

This is not the first time that an Indian cricketer has been troubled by threats and extortion money. Notably, in the past, several stars have come under such scanners, and this article will shed light on those instances.

Mohammad Azharuddin – Death Threats After Match-Fixing Scandal (2000s)

In 2005, former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin faced severe threats from the underworld because of his 2000 match-fixing controversy. Hyderabad police reported that mafia elements, reportedly under Dawood’s network, had stalked Azharuddin, leading to bomb threats at his house and gym. Security around Azhar was intensified, with armed police deployed at his residence for several months.

Eventually, these threats turned out to be both a fallout of unpaid dues in betting syndicates as well as attempts to stop Azharuddin from revealing names of key members from betting industry to the police.

Sachin Tendulkar – Terror Group Threat

In 2008, India were playing against Australia at home and before the fifth and final Test at home, Sachin Tendulkar was reportedly targeted by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed.  According to police, Tendulkar received direct threats, resulting in extraordinary security arrangements by Indian authorities. 

The motivation behind these threats was both to disrupt national morale during major sporting events and to target India’s cricket icons as symbols of national pride. It was the second time that Sachin had received such threat, but it did not move Tendulkar and he was calm about it.

MS Dhoni – Extortion and Threat to Life (2009)

In 2009, Indian captain MS Dhoni and his family received an extortion letter demanding ₹50 lakh with a threat to blow up Ranchi house if the sum was not paid. The letter, sent to Dhoni’s residence in Ranchi, claimed the sender had links to Dawood Ibrahim. Following the threat, three suspects were arrested; security around Dhoni’s residence and his family was significantly increased.

Rahul Dravid – Letters from Maoist Rebels

Rahul Dravid, in the early 2000s, was reportedly one of the cricketers who received threats from Maoist rebels. Allegedly, the letters protested cricket’s elitist status and criticised the disparity between rich players and the poor. Authorities in Karnataka, where Dravid resided, increased his security, although police did not confirm delivery of the threatening messages. The threats reflected socio-political tensions that sometimes shadow cricket’s immense popularity in India.

Gautam Gambhir – ISIS Kashmir Death Threat (2025)

Former Indian opener and then-current head coach Gautam Gambhir received death threats from the terrorist organisation ISIS Kashmir via email in 2025. The threats, referencing his public stances, forced the deployment of additional security at his Delhi residence and his movement was closely monitored during matches and team engagements. Gambhir expressed confidence in law enforcement but described the situation as disturbing for him and his family.