Cricket in India is not just a sport. The game is worshipped as a religion while players are put equivalent to Gods. The love and passion for this sport are unimaginable and the games gain millions of eyeballs. Consequently, making the BCCI the richest cricket board in the world.
Believe it or not, this didn’t happen overnight. Along with the players, a number of people off the field have also put in days and nights to put the game of cricket on this pedestal. One such prominent figure is Narayanaswami Srinivasan or Srini as he is fondly called.
N. Srinivasan is widely known for his significant contributions to both the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK). In this article read all about one of the founder figures of cricket Narayanaswami Srinivasan who helped it earn fortunes.
Narayanaswami Srinivasan Early Life
Indian Industrialist and former cricket administrator, Srinivasan was born on 3 January 1945. He is the son of T. S. Narayanaswami, one of the first employees of India Cements. Born in an influential family hailing from Kallidaikurichi, Tirunelveli district, Tamil Nadu, Srinivasan calculated his way from an Industrialist into cricket administration.
Introduced in cricket administration by former BCCI president A. C. Muthiah, a chemical engineer by training Srinivasan took over the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) in 2002. With this begin the rise of Srinivasan through the BCCI. Narayanaswami Srinivasan became one of the most influential cricket administrators by the end of the first decade of the 2000s.
His tenure as the president of the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association and other leadership roles on the international stage highlight his unwavering passion and love for the sport.
Who is the owner of Chennai Super Kings?
In the world of cricket, every team has a story, and the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) is no exception. CSK is owned by India Cements Limited through their extension, Chennai Super Kings Cricket Limited. The beloved team made its debut in the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2008, marking the beginning of an exciting journey in Indian cricket.
Central to this journey is Narayanaswami Srinivasan, the Managing Director of India Cements. Making him the owner of Chennai Super Kings.
Narayanaswami Srinivasan’s deep-rooted involvement in cricket extends beyond his role with CSK. He has served as the former chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the ex-president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). For those living under the rock, Srini is considered one the most powerful personalities Indian cricket has ever witnessed.
Despite concerns surrounding potential conflicts of interest, Narayanaswami Srinivasan has remained a steadfast figure in the CSK camp. He is still a part of steering the team through triumphs and challenges alike.
His dedication to the franchise underscores his commitment to CSK’s success, making him a central figure in the team’s journey through the IPL arena. Hence, his leadership and strategic intelligence have been instrumental in shaping CSK into one of the most successful and beloved teams in the IPL.
N Srinivasan Controversies with CSK
Narayanaswami Srinivasan, the owner of Chennai Super Kings (CSK), has been linked to several controversies. One early issue involved a conflict of interest when he became the president of the BCCI in 2011. Critics pointed out that his roles in the ICC, BCCI, and IPL created conflicts.
In 2013, the IPL spot-fixing and betting scandal emerged, revealing that Srinivasan’s son-in-law, Gurunath Meiyappan, was involved. This scandal was a significant blow, as Srinivasan, then BCCI president, faced intense criticism due to his connection with Meiyappan. He and Raj Kundra, co-owner of Rajasthan Royals, were implicated and banned from all cricket-related activities for life.
Srinivasan also faced allegations of misogyny, reportedly believing that women should not play cricket. In 2015, the RM Lodha Committee suspended India Cements and banned CSK from the IPL for two years due to these controversies. These issues have marred Srinivasan’s reputation, casting a shadow over his contributions to cricket and his ownership of CSK.
Srinivasan the man behind CSK
Narayanaswami Srinivasan, the owner of Chennai Super Kings (CSK), has been a prominent figure in cricket administration for over two decades. His journey began with significant influence in the sport, eventually becoming BCCI president in 2011 despite controversies over conflicts of interest. Srinivasan also held roles in the ICC, further solidifying his control over cricket’s administrative landscape.
His tenure was marred by the 2013 IPL spot-fixing scandal involving his son-in-law, Gurunath Meiyappan, who was implicated in illegal betting. This led to intense scrutiny and criticism, yet Srinivasan managed to clear his and Gurunath’s names through internal investigations, resuming his position shortly after. This shows the amount of power and influence he attains.
Srinivasan’s influence extended to the IPL, where he facilitated India Cements’ acquisition of the CSK franchise in 2008 while serving as BCCI secretary. His leadership style, often described as patriarchal, helped him secure unwavering loyalty within cricket boards. Despite setbacks, including a temporary step aside in 2013 and a Supreme Court inquiry in 2014, he became the ICC chairman in 2014. Showcasing his resilience and strategic acumen in cricket administration time and again 71-year-old Srini still holds major significance in the Indian Cricket fraternity.
This sums up the story of the owner of Chennai Super Kings, N Srinivasan. We hope you have got all the information that you might need on your favourite team’s ownership.
FAQs
Who is the owner of the CSK IPL franchise?
A. The five-time IPL champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) is owned by India Cements, of which N Srinivasan, the former BCCI president and former chairman of the ICC, is chairman.
Who is N Srinivasan?
A. Narayanaswami Srinivasan, the former BCCI president and ICC Chairman is the owner of India Cements and IPL franchise Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and is also a former cricket administrator.
Also read: Ruturaj Gaikwad CSK: Player Profile, Background and Stats in IPL
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