The Rajasthan Royals cricket team has been embroiled in a decade-long legal dispute with their insurer, United India Insurance, over a claim of ₹82 lakh related to an injury suffered by former India fast bowler S. Sreesanth in 2012. During a practice match in Jaipur, Sreesanth suffered a knee injury that ruled him out for the season. The Royals had insured their players under a contingency policy worth over ₹8.7 crore and filed a claim stating that the knee injury left him unfit to play.
However, the insurer rejected the claim, arguing that Sreesanth was already carrying a toe injury from 2011 that had not been disclosed when the policy was taken. The Royals took the matter to the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC), which ruled in their favor and directed the insurance company to pay. United India Insurance appealed to the Supreme Court, where the case is now under fresh scrutiny.
The Royals argue that Sreesanth’s toe injury never prevented him from playing matches and that the only reason he missed the 2012 season was due to the new knee injury. They have presented fitness certificates as proof, highlighting that the toe issue was not significant. The Supreme Court has raised questions about whether the toe injury was formally disclosed when the insurance was taken and has asked the insurance company to submit additional documents, including Sreesanth’s fitness certificates and the original policy application.
The case remains unresolved, with the Royals waiting for a final ruling on whether their claim will be honored. The long-drawn legal battle has kept both the franchise and its insurer entangled in court proceedings. The Supreme Court’s decision will determine the outcome of the case, which has been ongoing for over a decade. The dispute highlights the complexities of insurance claims and the importance of disclosing pre-existing injuries when taking out a policy. The case is a significant one for the Rajasthan Royals, who are seeking to recover the ₹82 lakh they claim is owed to them.