New Delhi: Five-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are garnering the headlines once again for all the wrong reasons after former IPL chairman Lalit Modi’s sensational accusations on CSK owner N Srinivasan. In his latest appearance on a podcast, Modi accused Srinivasan of rigging the IPL 2009 auction to ensure England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff was sold to CSK.
Former BCCI chairman Srinivasan is the Managing Director of India Cements which owns the Chennai Super Kings. Srinivasan had a long tussle with Modi, the founder of the IPL, who was accused of money laundering and corruption amid other charges and had to leave India. The former IPL chairman has also in the past accused Srinivasan of rigging the 2009 IPL auction.
He made fresh allegations against the CSK owner during his recent appearance on YouTuber Raj Shamani’s podcast ‘Figuring Out’. Modi admitted to have rigged the IPL 2009 auction for Srinivasan as he wanted Flintoff to play for CSK. The former IPL chairman revealed all other teams were told not to bid for the England all-rounder, who was eventually sold to CSK for $1.55 million at the time.
“Auction rigging. I gave Flintoff to Srinivasan. Yes, we did. No doubts about it; every team knew about it. Srinivasan wasn’t going to let the IPL happen. He was a thorn in our Board. Yes, we told everybody not to pick ‘Flintoff.’ Yes, that I did—because Srinivasan said I want Flintoff,” Lalit Modi said on the podcast.
However, Flintoff turned out to be a huge flop for CSK as he managed to play only three matches in IPL 2009, scoring 62 runs and picking up two wickets. The England all-rounder never featured in the IPL again after his debut season.
Lalit Modi confirms that Srini Mama used to do umpire fixing in IPL.
CSK fans should watch this with full volume.
Video :- Raj Shamani Youtube pic.twitter.com/Ecf3knYcRg
— Abhishek (@vicharabhio) November 27, 2024
Lalit Modi accuses N Srinivasan of fixing umpires
Former IPL chairman Modi also accused Srinivasan of fixing umpires in the IPL to favour Chennai Super Kings. Modi alleged that Srinivasan used his power as a BCCI member to change umpires at the last minute for CSK matches. He claimed Srinivasan would put umpires from Chennai to officiate during CSK matches which he felt was ‘indirect fixing’.
“I went up against him, and he did many things. Umpire fixing, he accused me of it, and I accused him right back. He would change the umpire. At first, I didn’t think much about it. But when I realized he was putting a Chennai umpire on a Chennai game, it became an issue for me. That’s called indirect fixing. When I started exposing those things, he went totally against me,” said Modi.
CSK are not new to controversies as the franchise was banned for two seasons in 2016 and 2018 along with Rajasthan Royals over allegations of spot-fixing. Nonetheless, CSK are one of the most successful teams in IPL history with five titles to their name. CSK won their last trophy in IPL 2023 after beating Gujarat Titans in a thrilling final.
Chennai Super Kings are currently led by Ruturaj Gaikwad and have once again formed a strong team at the recently concluded IPL 2025 mega auction. With the legendary MS Dhoni still the guiding force in the side, CSK will start next season as one of the favourites to win the trophy.
Former IPL chairman Lalit Modi accused Chennai Super Kings owner N Srinivasan of rigging the IPL auction ahead of the 2009 season to ensure England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff was sold to the franchise. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
