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IPL ban over, Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals are back into fray

Two popular Indian Premier League teams will be back in action next year after serving a two-year ban over a scandal that involved illegal betting on matches, the cricket board said Friday (14).

A Supreme Court appointed panel had barred Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals from the Twenty20 competition in 2015, saying such a punishment was needed to protect the integrity of the game.


Royals' co-owner Raj Kundra, husband of Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty, and Gurunath Meiyappan, of the Chennai franchise, were banned for life from cricket-related activities.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Friday welcomed the teams back into the fold, saying the tournament will be "enriched" by their return.

"Both the teams have enjoyed tremendous on-field success and have a mass following," acting BCCI president C. K. Khanna said in a news release.

"The loyal fans will again get to see their favourite teams and stars in action from the upcoming season of the VIVO IPL."

The Chennai franchise, led by former India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, are the most successful team in the IPL, having won the tournament in 2010 and 2011. They finished runners-up in 2008, 2012, 2013 and 2015.

Rajasthan Royals won the inaugural event in 2008 under the captaincy of Australian spin legend Shane Warne, but have failed to make the final since then.

The IPL, which is broadcast around the world, is hugely popular in India with its mix of sport and showbiz, with a number of teams fronted by big Bollywood names.

But it has been continuously dogged by corruption allegations.

The 2013 season saw police launch legal proceedings against several officials and three Rajasthan Royals players, including former Test fast bowler Shanthakumaran Sreesanth, for illegal betting and spot-fixing.

Criminal charges were later dropped but the players were banned for breaching the BCCI's code of conduct.

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In a shocking turn of events, Bollywood star Saif Ali Khan found himself in a real-life thriller when an armed intruder broke into his Mumbai residence in the dead of night. What was supposed to be just another peaceful evening in the Khan household turned into a night of horror, leaving Saif with multiple injuries and raising serious questions about celebrity security in India.

It all began when Saif, in his kurta-pyjama, heard unusual noises near his son Jeh’s room. What followed was a violent struggle with an intruder armed with two knives. “I didn’t realise it was a knife at first,” Saif recalled. “There was too much adrenaline. He was slashing at my neck, and I was blocking it with my hands. My palms, wrists, and arms were cut, but I didn’t feel the pain immediately.”

Speaking to Times of India, the actor shared how his quick reflexes and the sharp presence of mind of his househelp, Geeta, saved the day. “I was praying someone would get him off me,” Saif admitted. “Geeta was incredible. She shoved him away, and we managed to close the door.”

Meanwhile, Kareena Kapoor Khan sprang into action, ensuring their children, Taimur and Jeh, were safe. “Kareena was shouting, ‘Take the kid out!’” Saif shared. “She got Jeh out of harm’s way while I was still grappling with the intruder.”

What makes this story even more astonishing is the extent of Saif’s injuries. A knife had penetrated his back, nicking his spinal cord and causing spinal fluid to leak. “The doctors said it was a millimetre away from paralysis,” Saif revealed. “It’s a miracle I can walk.”

Despite the severity of his wounds, Saif remained remarkably composed. “I told Kareena, ‘I’m fine. I’m not going to die.’ Taimur asked me the same thing, and I reassured him too,” he said. The family’s decision to take an autorickshaw to the hospital made the situation feel all the more unreal. “The rickshaw driver saw the blood but stayed calm. He even took shortcuts to avoid bumps,” Saif recalled with a laugh.

While the physical scars are healing, the emotional impact lingers. Saif’s children have reacted in their own ways. “Jeh gave me a plastic sword and said, ‘Keep this by your bed for the next time the chor comes,’” Saif shared with a chuckle. Taimur, ever the composed one, has shown concern about security but remains unfazed.

As for the intruder, Saif harbours no hatred. “Taimur said he should be forgiven because he might have been hungry,” Saif said. “I understand desperation, but he crossed a line when he tried to kill me.”

Saif’s ordeal has sparked debates about celebrity security and urban safety. Yet, the actor remains unfazed. “I don’t believe in walking around with bodyguards. This wasn’t a targeted attack; it was a burglary gone wrong,” he insisted.

“It’s brought us closer as a family,” he admitted. “Kareena has been incredibly strong, and the kids have shown maturity beyond their years.”

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