IPL 2026 Controversies: Top Five Debates So Far

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season has been full of exciting on-field action and plenty of off-field drama. From heated arguments over boundary calls to disputes between players and team management, the league has seen its fair share of controversies in just two weeks.

1. Varun Chakravarthy’s Controversial Catch
During a match between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), Varun Chakravarthy made a diving catch that appeared to be successful. However, Abhishek Sharma, the batsman, was unhappy with the decision. The third umpire reviewed it but couldn’t find clear evidence of Varun grounding the ball. Abhishek was later fined for showing dissent.

2. Avesh Khan’s Bat Incident
Sunrisers Hyderabad faced another issue when Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)’s Avesh Khan hit the ball back onto the field during a crucial moment in their match. This action could potentially lead to SRH lodging a complaint with the BCCI, but no official decision has been made yet.

3. Heinrich Klaasen’s Dismissal
SRH’s Heinrich Klaasen was controversially dismissed against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Phil Salt caught him at midwicket, but replays were unclear about whether Salt touched the boundary cushion. Despite this, the dismissal stood.

4. Cameron Green’s Absence from Bowling
Kolkata Knight Riders’ star all-rounder Cameron Green has not been able to bowl due to a lower back injury. KKR’s skipper questioned Cricket Australia for not allowing him to bowl earlier, but CA explained that Green needs more time to recover.

5. Rahul Tewatia’s Bat Issue
Gujarat Titans’ Rahul Tewatia had to change his bat during their match against Punjab Kings after it failed the gauge test. Despite arguing about a sticker affecting the bat’s width, umpires insisted he use another one.

These controversies highlight how IPL 2026 has been as much about drama off the field as it has been about thrilling cricket on the pitch.