The Indian Premier League (IPL) isn’t just a cricket tournament—it’s the biggest T20 cricket league in the world, watched by millions and followed religiously across continents.
Glamorous, high-stakes, and adrenaline-pumping, the IPL has transformed Indian cricket and built a massive global fan base. But alongside the glitz, there have also been dark clouds—allegations of match-fixing, most notably the 2013 scandal.
That year, Indian cricket was rocked when players from the Rajasthan Royals were arrested for spot-fixing, and top officials from Chennai Super Kings were implicated in betting-related controversies. The fallout was so serious that the Supreme Court suspended both franchises for two seasons.
Years later, Rajasthan Royals once again find themselves at the center of controversy.
Following their narrow 2-run loss to Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2025, Jaideep Bihani, BJP’s Sri Ganganagar MLA and the convener of the RCA’s ad hoc committee, accused the Royals of match-fixing. The allegation came as a shock, especially with no solid proof backing it.
But Rajasthan Royals didn’t take this lightly.
RR Fires Back, Calls Allegations Baseless
Reacting swiftly, Deep Roy, a top official from Rajasthan Royals, addressed the media and dismissed the allegations, calling them “false, baseless, and without any evidence.”
The franchise also took a formal step and lodged a complaint with Rajasthan’s Chief Minister, Sports Minister, and Sports Secretary, demanding strict action against Bihani.
Their official statement read:
“We reject all allegations made by the convener of the ad hoc committee. Such public statements are not only misleading but have caused serious damage to the reputation and credibility of Rajasthan Royals, Royal Multi Sport Private Limited (RMPL), the Rajasthan Sports Council, and the BCCI. They also tarnish the integrity of cricket.”
The Accusation and the Politics Behind It
Jaideep Bihani didn’t just question the team’s performance—he linked it to politics and management power struggles within the Rajasthan Cricket Association. After Rajasthan Royals lost by a whisker, Bihani suggested something was fishy about the final over.
He said:
“Rajasthan government appointed ad-hoc committee in the RCA. And after reviewing the work it has done, it was given an extension for the fifth time. During our tenure, we have organised several competitions from the district to the national level. However, the moment it was time for IPL, the district council took control of it. BCCI had first written a letter for the organisation of IPL to RCA. The district council gave an excuse that RCA doesn’t have an MoU with the SMS stadium. So what if we don’t have an MOU? Aren’t you also paying the district council for each game?”
The timing of the accusations, the internal tug-of-war between RCA and the district council, and the intensity of RR’s denial suggest there’s more going on than just cricketing drama.
While the IPL has moved on from its troubled past, this latest controversy is a reminder that the league still walks a tightrope when it comes to transparency and trust. For now, Rajasthan Royals have made it clear: they’re not going to let baseless claims tarnish their name.