Kundra shocked by suspension

NEW DELHI: Kundra, who owns 11.7 percent of the franchise, said he was shocked by the suspension, saying "accusations were made against me without proof, by people in powerful positions".

"I am shocked and upset at the unilateral decision taken today by the BCCI and will fight the grounds of suspension," he said in a statement.

The internal inquiry is already probing Gurunath Meiyappan, the son-in-law of India's cricket chief, who is part of the management of another IPL team called the Chennai Super Kings.

Meiyappan was arrested last month over accusations that he also bet on IPL matches. His arrest forced the cricket chief, N. Srinivasan, to step aside pending the outcome of the inquiry.

According to an agreement between the BCCI and IPL sides, if any franchise group or owner acts in a way which has a "material adverse effect" on the reputation of the BCCI or the league, then their agreement will be terminated.

The Rajasthan Royals, who won the inaugural IPL edition in 2008 under Australian spin legend Shane Warne, have previously been thrown out of the IPL because of ownership problems. (AFP)