The Rajasthan Royals (RR) are in the eye of a storm once again—this time facing serious match-fixing allegations following their narrow two-run loss to Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in an IPL 2025 clash held in Jaipur on April 19. The Royals, already grappling with poor form this season, now find themselves entangled in a controversy that could have major ramifications for the franchise and the tournament itself.
The shocking accusation comes from Jaideep Bihani, the convenor of the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) ad-hoc committee and sitting MLA from Sri Ganganagar, who questioned the nature of RR’s defeat and called for a thorough investigation into the match.
The Match in Question
The game saw the Royals fall short by just 2 runs, despite needing a modest total in the final over. With captain Sanju Samson sidelined due to injury, and 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi making headlines as the youngest-ever IPL debutant, the Royals’ lineup was already under strain. However, the dramatic and unexpected loss at home has raised more eyebrows than sympathy.
The Allegations
Speaking to News18 Rajasthan, Jaideep Bihani did not mince words. He cast serious doubts on the nature of RR’s defeat, stating:
“How can a team lose a match at home when they need just a few runs in the final over? This raises suspicions, and a full investigation is needed.”
He went on to accuse RR of deliberately keeping the RCA out of IPL operations, despite the RCA being the original point of contact from BCCI for IPL-related matters. He added:
“BCCI first sent the letter to RCA, not the Zila Parishad. Still, all control was handed over to the district council. RR and the Zila Parishad claim there’s no MOU with the Sawai Mansingh Stadium. Even if there’s no MOU, isn’t RR paying Zila Parishad for every match?”
RR’s Season So Far
Under the coaching of Rahul Dravid, the Rajasthan Royals currently sit at 8th place on the IPL 2025 points table with 4 points from 8 matches (2 wins and 6 losses). The team has looked disjointed and inconsistent throughout the season, and this latest scandal further derails their campaign.
Political and Administrative Tensions
Bihani’s comments also reflect deeper administrative rifts between the RCA, the local government, and RR’s management. This dispute over management rights, stadium MoUs, and event handling during IPL matches adds another layer of complexity to an already heated situation.
He reiterated that the state government-appointed ad-hoc committee has been working diligently to ensure smooth conduct of all competitions in Rajasthan, and IPL being managed without their involvement is both questionable and suspicious.
Call for Investigation
Given the gravity of the match-fixing accusations, cricket fans and analysts alike are demanding that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the IPL Governing Council take swift action. Whether these claims hold any truth or stem from administrative and political frustrations remains to be seen, but the credibility of the tournament is at stake.
What’s Next?
As the controversy brews:
- Will BCCI initiate an inquiry into the RR vs LSG match?
- Will RCA regain a role in IPL 2025 operations in Rajasthan?
- Can RR recover from both on-field failures and off-field chaos?
Until these questions are answered, the shadow over RR’s 2025 campaign looms large.
