15 Jul 2015

NZ link to Indian cricket corruption suspension

7:08 am on 15 July 2015

The Chennai Super Kings and the Rajasthan Royals, which both have a New Zealand connection, have been suspended from the Indian Premier Cricket League for two years over a corruption scandal.

Rajendra Mal Lodha of the Supreme Court-appointed panel that suspended two Indian Premier League franchises.

Rajendra Mal Lodha of the Supreme Court-appointed panel that suspended two Indian Premier League franchises. Photo: AFP

A panel appointed by India's top court on Tuesday recommended that the franchise owners of the two IPL teams be suspended for two years following a cricket corruption scandal.

If ratified by the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI), the ruling will mean that the Rajasthan Royals and the Chennai Super Kings cannot compete in India's richest cricket competition for the next two years unless they are sold to different owners.

The Chennai Super Kings are owned by India Cements and the Rajasthan Royals are owned by Jaipur IPL.

The panel also recommended life suspensions on Chennai Super Kings official Gurunath Meiyappan and Rajasthan Royals' Raj Kundra over illegal betting.

Black Caps captain Brendon McCullum and paceman Matt Henry play for Chennai, which is coached by former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming. New Zealand seamer Tim Southee plays for Rajasthan.

-Reuters