Know why MS Dhoni has been ordered to pay INR 10 lakh by Madras High Court ahead of IPL 2026

The legendary former captain and the wicket-keeper batter of the Indian side, MS Dhoni, has been asked by the Madras Cricket Court to deposit INR 10 lakh towards the cost of transcribing and translating the compact discs submitted as evidence in his long-running defamation suit related to the spot-fixing and betting scandal. 

The betting and fixing scandal is related to the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2013, which resulted in the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) getting banned from the competition for two seasons in 2016 and 2017 before returning in 2018 and claiming three titles. Justice R.N. Manjula expressed that the task of translating was a humongous exercise.

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“As the engagement of an official Interpreter is needed in view of the extraneous circumstances and as mentioned in the earlier order dated 28.10.2025, it is obligatory on the part of the plaintiff to pay the cost of the job done.” The order, as per the Bar and Bench, has read, according to the reports.

Madras High Court asks to pay INR 10 lakh to MS Dhoni before IPL 2026

The task of translating and transcribing the Hindi language recording, which includes the news clips and televised debates, would need the services of a typist for three to four months. The court ruled that Dhoni was obliged to bear the cost as the amount must be deposited with the Chief Justices’ Relief Fund by March 12, 2026, to allow the 12-year-old civil case to proceed.

Dhoni filed the INR 100 crore defamation case in 2014 against the two organizations, a journalist, and a retired IPS officer. He alleged that they made the statements linking him to betting and match-fixing during the IPL 2013 season. However, Dhoni was denied any participation.

In 2023, a bench was made and convicted Mr. Kumar of criminal contempt over the remarks that he made in the court filings. It sentenced him to 15 days of simple imprisonment. The Supreme Court stayed the sentence as the Jharkhand batter will return for the IPL 2026.