India’s domestic cricket structure has been shaken by a corruption case that resulted in a lifetime ban for a match analyst after a reported spot-fixing approach during the 2023–24 Ranji Trophy.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Ombudsman ruled that video analyst Raja Reddy will be permanently barred from cricket activities after being found guilty of making a corrupt approach to Andhra all-rounder Girinath Reddy ahead of a Ranji Trophy quarter-final.
The incident occurred during the Andhra vs Madhya Pradesh knockout match played from February 23–26, 2024 at Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore.
Following an investigation conducted by the BCCI’s Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU), the Ombudsman concluded that the analyst breached multiple provisions of the BCCI Anti-Corruption Code and imposed the sport’s harshest penalty.
Corrupt approach before Andhra vs Madhya Pradesh Ranji quarter-final
According to BCCI’s official order, Raja Reddy contacted Girinath Reddy shortly before the quarter-final match and attempted to obtain sensitive team information.
The analyst reportedly asked about Andhra’s playing XI and allegedly offered ₹5 lakh (approx. $5400) to influence play in the match — specifically asking the player to concede runs in two overs.
WhatsApp messages and a phone call in Telugu preceded the approach. Girinath refused the proposal and immediately alerted Andhra’s team management, triggering an anti-corruption investigation.
“The WhatsApp call and chat history show that the respondent repeatedly called Mr. Girinath Reddy, who refused to indulge with the respondent. Mr Girinath Reddy unambiguously told the respondent that he would report the incident to his Team Manager.” Ombudsman Arun Mishra’s order dated Nov 11, 2025 said.
The team manager subsequently informed the BCCI’s ACSU officials, who launched a formal inquiry into the matter.
Evidence from messages and phone records
During the investigation, ACSU officials collected statements from the individuals involved, including Girinath Reddy, team manager Jugal Kishore, and Raja Reddy.
Investigators also examined the analyst’s phone records, email accounts, and messaging history. While Raja Reddy had deleted his WhatsApp conversation with the player, screenshots and chat archives provided by Girinath were used as evidence.
Raja Reddy admitted to contacting the player but denied offering money. He claimed he was only trying to learn the team’s likely playing XI due to internal issues within the Andhra side.
However, investigators said digital evidence contradicted parts of his defense.
Betting accounts discovered during inquiry
The investigation also uncovered links between the analyst and online betting platforms, which further strengthened the case against him.
“Several different email IDs were found configured in the respondent’s phone. The emails from his official account showed that respondent had an account with “bet365” which is one of the world’s leading online gambling operator. Further respondent also had an account on Skrill which is a global payments platform, which works as a digital wallet in the process of online money payment and money transfer,” the report said. “In fact during the Inquiry respondent expressly accepted that he used to bet but stated that it was a long time ago. Respondent acknowledged that the bet365 account found installed in his phone belongs to him which was reactivated by him in February 2023, during which time the respondent was a participant as defined under the BCCI AntiCorruption Code.”
Investigators also found evidence of a small deposit made into the betting account through Skrill, which was highlighted in the inquiry report as part of the overall findings.
Ombudsman issues lifetime ban under anti-corruption code
After reviewing the evidence and the ACSU report, the BCCI Ombudsman ruled that Raja Reddy had violated Article 2.1.3 and 2.1.4 of the BCCI Anti-Corruption Code — provisions that cover corrupt approaches and attempts to manipulate match events.
The ruling resulted in a lifetime ineligibility from cricket activities, effectively ending the analyst’s involvement with the sport.
“Being a participant, his conduct is most deplorable. Betting in cricket that too by participants, is going to destroy the faith of the public in the game and destroy the very spirit of cricket. The importance of integrity in the game of Cricket cannot be overemphasized, particularly in India, where cricket is a hugely popular game and connected with National pride,” the order said. “Betting/satta in cricket is a grave ill. It has the potential to erode public confidence. It must be dealt with strictly.”
Corruption cases continue to challenge cricket authorities
The Ranji Trophy incident highlights the continued vigilance required from cricket’s anti-corruption bodies, particularly in domestic competitions where access to players and team staff can present vulnerabilities.
In a separate corruption probe involving international cricket, West Indies all-rounder Javon Searles, Titans owner Chitranjan Rathod, and team official Trevon Griffith have also faced charges related to alleged corruption in the Bim10 tournament.
Those cases remain under investigation, with authorities emphasizing the importance of strict enforcement to protect the integrity of the sport.
For the BCCI, the lifetime ban of Raja Reddy sends a clear message that any attempts to manipulate matches — even at the domestic level — will be met with the toughest possible sanctions.
