IPL 2025: CSK Accused of Faking Injury for Gurjapneet Singh
The 18th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) has been marred by surprises, with former champion teams languishing at the bottom of the points table and sides yet to win a trophy leading the chart. Chennai Super Kings (CSK), led by MS Dhoni, are currently placed 10th on the table with just four points from their two wins against Mumbai Indians (MI) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). The team has been plagued by injuries, most notably to their captain, Ruturaj Gaikwad, who sustained an elbow injury, and Gurjapneet Singh, who was ruled out due to an undisclosed injury.
According to a report by Indiatimes.com, CSK announced on April 18 that Gurjapneet Singh had been ruled out of the season due to injury. The 26-year-old left-arm pacer, bought for INR 2.2 crore, did not get a chance to play any matches. Following his injury, CSK signed young South African batter Dewald Brevis as his replacement for the same amount. As per Indiatimes.com, Brevis became CSK’s second replacement signing, after Ayush Mhatre was brought in to replace the injured Ruturaj Gaikwad.
However, there appears to be more to the story surrounding Gurjapneet Singh’s injury. Despite being officially ruled out, he was reportedly seen bowling during an intra-squad match organized by CSK on April 23. A user on X (formerly known as Twitter), Vinoth Kumar, who attended the session, shared several pictures and videos, claiming that Gurjapneet not only bowled with full intensity but also took part in fielding drills. Indiatimes.com reported that on April 29, Gurjapneet Singh was seen enjoying Dewald Brevis’ birthday celebrations, a detail that many fans took note of.
The development has sparked outrage among fans, with many accusing CSK of faking an injury and demanding action. Several users on X have called for a ban, labeling CSK as "cheaters." One user stated, "Brevis celebrating with the one he replaced for injury. BCCI cracked down on players not showing up post-auction, they cracked down on pricing in mini auctions or players registering for them. Now it’s time to crack down on fake injury replacements used to cover auction mistakes." Another user wrote, "Cheater Kings are back."
As reported by Indiatimes.com, fans have questioned the CSK management, with one user commenting, "LMAO that’s Gurjapneet Singh, by the way… the fit guy who was declared unfit by this shady franchise so Brevis could be picked." Another added, "Ban this cheating franchise for another two years."
CSK now need a miracle to salvage their season — they must win all their remaining matches and hope results from other top-half teams work in their favour. However, the management appears to be taking a realistic approach. Both head coach Stephen Fleming and MS Dhoni have hinted at shifting focus toward rebuilding for the next season.
The controversy surrounding Gurjapneet Singh’s injury has raised questions about the integrity of the IPL and the practices of teams. As per Indiatimes.com, the incident has sparked a heated debate among fans, with many demanding action against CSK. The franchise has yet to comment on the allegations.
The allegations against CSK highlight the challenges faced by teams in the IPL, where the pressure to perform can sometimes lead to questionable decisions. As reported by Indiatimes.com, the incident has brought into focus the need for stricter regulations and monitoring to prevent such incidents in the future.
This controversy is likely to have implications for CSK and the IPL as a whole, with fans and experts eagerly awaiting the outcome. According to Indiatimes.com, the development has left CSK’s fans disappointed and frustrated, with many questioning the team’s management and strategies.
