Since 2008, multiple IPL players have faced temporary or lifetime bans

Since 2008, the Indian Premier League (IPL) has witnessed several player bans, but the incident people often recall is the lifetime ban of Sreesanth (later overturned), Ajit Chandila (also lifetime), and Amit Singh (5 years) for spot-fixing. Not to forget, nobody has forgotten the ‘Slapgate’ incident, which saw Harbhajan Singh getting banned for the remainder of the 2008 season after slapping Sreesanth.

However, apart from these two major incidents, a few more players were banned from the tourney for other reasons that went unnoticed.

Pravin Tambe

"Passion has no expiry date."🔥

Rahul Dravid shares the incredible journey of Pravin Tambe- a man who spent 20 years in the shadows of Mumbai’s maidans, only to debut in the IPL at 41. It’s not just a cricket story; it’s a masterclass in persistence.

Never stop bowling your… pic.twitter.com/K0hRTdl0WK

— OldMonkOfCricket (@OldMonkOfCric) January 29, 2026

Remember Pravin Tambe, the Mumbai bowler who debuted for the Rajasthan Royals at the age of 41? He still holds the record of being the oldest player to debut in the league. Tambe is best known for his hat-trick against KKR in 2014, and for the Royals, he grabbed 28 wickets in 33 matches – a late bloomer story that inspired many. However, in 2020, Tambe, despite being picked by the KKR, chose to appear in the Caribbean Premier League and the Abu Dhabi T10 League without informing KKR or the BCCI. Since only retired Indian players can participate in domestic T20 leagues abroad, the IPL banned Tambe for life.

Ravindra Jadeja

Crucial runs added ✅

Ravindra Jadeja with a fine rescue act of 43*(29) 🤝

Updates ▶️ https://t.co/5SaPY8wfsc#TATAIPL | #KhelBindaas | #LSGvRR | @rajasthanroyals pic.twitter.com/b8YGQZjQav

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 22, 2026

A key player for the Rajasthan Royals in 2008-09, Ravindra Jadeja chose not to sign his contract renewal papers. Instead, he secretly attempted to negotiate a contract with other IPL teams for a higher salary and benefits. Lalit Modi, the then IPL commissioner, had said, “We will not tolerate any player playing games or blackmailing any teams or the IPL/BCCI in any manner.” Jadeja was banned from the tournament for a year and made his comeback with the Kochi Tuskers in 2011.

Hiken Shah

Hiken Shah was not an IPL player but a promising talent who could’ve made it into an IPL outfit. However, he axed his opportunities by offering money to a Mumbai Indians player in 2015. Fortunately, the player declined Shah’s offer and reported the incident to the BCCI’s Anti-Corruption and Security Unit. The BCCI suspended him by stating, “His involvement in any form of cricket affiliated with the BCCI stands suspended until the time the disciplinary committee of the BCCI passes appropriate orders.”

Luke Pomersbach

 

Australian player Luke Pomersbach, in 2012 during his time with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, had m*lested a woman in Delhi. When the woman’s fiancé intervened, Pomersbach as*aulted him as well. Pomersbach was charged with Indian Penal Code sections 354 (as*ault/m*lestation), 323 (punishment for voluntarily causing hurt), 454 (lurking house-trespass), and 511. He was banned for that season but made a comeback in 2013. However, due to depre*sion, he retired from cricket in 2014.