India and arguably the world's biggest cricket extravaganza IPL 2025 has kickstarted and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) has been marred with controversy yet again. Five-time IPL winner CSK has been accused of being involved in ball-tampering this time. A video from the CSKvsMI match is spreading like wildfire on social media with the claims that the Men In Yellow's skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad helped speedster Khaleel Ahmed in using external substance on the ball. As the video is going viral, fans of social media are reminding CSK about the 2 year ban that it faced over match fixing scandal.
Sharing the video, a user wrote, "#CSK was suspended for 2 years , they are back at doing the same illegal things… Ball Tampering this time !! What else to expect from the GFAT (Greatest Fixer of all times) Thala."
Another user wrote, "Ball tampering or just extra spin on the ball CSK always keeps us guessing"
The truth behind CSK ball-tampering allegations
After CSK was accused of ball tampering on social media, many fans took to X handle and outlined what really happened during the CSKvsMI IPL 2025 match. A user wrote, "Khaleel removes his finger protector..2.rutu (Ruturaj Gaikwad) gives the ball to him..3.Khaleel (Khaleel Ahmed) gives his finger protecter to rutu. 4.Rutu keeps it in his pocket...why would anyone tamper a new ball."
It means that Khaleel only removed his finger protector while bowling with the new ball and did not apply any external substance to the ball. Also, IPL Governing Council has not issued a statement over CSK ball-tampering allegations even after two days of controversy. It means the accusation around CSK tampering the ball cannot be said true or verified.
As per ESPCcricinfo, a player found guilty of ball-tampering can now be banned for up to six Test matches or 12 ODIs. ICC's Law 41, subsection 3 of the Laws of Cricket states that the ball may be polished without the use of an artificial substance, may be dried with a towel if it is wet, and have mud removed from it under supervision. All other actions which alter the condition of the ball are illegal.