Fleming on IPL scandal: We're in the dark

Stephen Flemming. Photo / Getty Images.

Chennai Super Kings coach Stephen Fleming says he was left in the dark over the two-year suspension handed down to the Indian Premier League side.

The Super Kings were recommended for suspension on Tuesday night after an India Supreme Court committee found that high-ranking official Gurunath Meiyappan was involved in betting on IPL games in 2013.

A fellow IPL side, the Rajasthan Royals have also been recommended for suspension for two seasons after co-owner Raj Kundra was found guilty of the same crime.

Black Caps captain Brendon McCullum and young pace bowler Matt Henry were part of the Super Kings squad this season, while Tim Southee suited up for the Royals.

Fleming, who coached the Super Kings to back-to-back titles, told The DRS show on Radio Sport he had no idea of the severity of the punishment to be handed down.

Fleming said he had briefly talked to the team owners and said they were in shock.

"From my point of view and the players point of view we are very much bystanders, watching from afar and I actually read the news on a website when it broke rather than getting any inside information.

"We're pretty much in the dark as we were waiting on that verdict from the Supreme Court.

"Those verdicts handed down were the result of about 18 months' worth of court work and lawyer work, no one really had any idea and I think that's why there is shock around the severity of the punishment because I don't think the franchises were preparing themselves to be suspended. Fines were the major things they were talking about.

Fleming, who is no out of a job, said he just hoped the players are looked after.

"I know in the past there have been instances of two of the teams being scrapped and some players are still waiting for money so I don't think the BCCI will let the happen again and I'd like to think that our franchise has been very good to players, wouldn't let that happen."

"What you'd like to see is the players get a fair deal, get paid for what they've done and then have an opportunity moving forward."