The Rajasthan Royals have strongly refuted recent allegations of match-fixing following their surprise loss to Gujarat Titans, labeling the claims as “false, baseless, and without any evidence.” The controversy, which has triggered a media storm and demands for a formal investigation, appears to be rooted not in on-field performance—but in a dispute over ticket distribution between Royals management and officials from Rajasthan’s now-defunct state cricket association.
RCA ad-hoc committee convener demands probe
The accusations were first publicly raised by Jaydeep Bihani, convener of the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) ad-hoc committee, who questioned the legitimacy of the Royals’ loss and claimed mismanagement around IPL match operations in Jaipur. Bihani pointed to the sidelining of RCA’s ad-hoc committee as a key issue.
“The State Sports Council kept the RCA ad hoc committee away from organising the IPL. They did not even make accreditation cards for the members related to the event.”
He further criticized the collaboration between the Royals and the district authorities over the venue, accusing them of bypassing the RCA:
“The ad hoc committee has been appointed by the state government in Rajasthan. It has extended for a fifth time. We make sure all competitions take place without any issues. But then just as IPL came, the Zila Parishad (district council) took control of it. For IPL, the BCCI had first sent a letter to RCA only, not Zila Parishad. The excuse given by them and RR that we don’t have an MOU from Sawai Mansingh Stadium. If MOU is not there, so what? Aren’t you paying Zila Parishad for every match?”
Rajasthan Royals respond: “False, baseless, and without any evidence”
The Rajasthan Royals issued a firm rebuttal, denying any wrongdoing and accusing Bihani of spreading misinformation to damage the team’s reputation. The franchise called the allegations deeply irresponsible.
“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.”
Speaking directly to the match-fixing claims, Deep Roy, a senior official with Rajasthan Royals, stated:
“False, baseless, and without any evidence.”
Royals insider: Ticket demands sparked controversy
According to a Rajasthan Royals team insider, the entire episode stems from internal political dynamics and an unresolved dispute over complimentary IPL tickets.
“At the start of the season, the BCCI gave us a clear guideline that since the RCA is dissolved, we would be dealing with the Rajasthan State Sports Council (RSSC) for all arrangements.”
The insider added:
“The disgruntled member of the RCA ad-hoc committee and his associates are demanding an exorbitant amount of tickets, and we are not entertaining them. This is the sole reason behind all this drama.”
BCCI weighs in: “No truth to these allegations”
A BCCI official, speaking anonymously, backed the Royals’ position and dismissed the allegations raised by the RCA ad-hoc committee.
“The RCA is currently dissolved. An ad-hoc committee has been formed, and with the elections approaching, there is a lot of drama. Everyone wants attention. The BCCI has an anti-corruption unit working 24×7 to keep bad elements away from the game. There is no truth to these allegations.”
Background: Royals’ unexpected loss triggers storm
The controversy erupted after Rajasthan Royals suffered a surprising defeat to Gujarat Titans, prompting public speculation and whispers of irregularities. This provided fuel for Bihani and his allies in the RCA ad-hoc committee, who seized on the moment to amplify their grievances.
The Royals, however, have continued to maintain that the team’s performance on the field should not be politicized, and that external pressures—especially from sidelined officials—should not be allowed to affect the integrity of the tournament.
Bigger than cricket: A battle for control
At its core, this saga appears to be less about match-fixing and more about institutional power struggles within Rajasthan cricket. The Rajasthan Cricket Association was dissolved prior to the IPL season and replaced by an ad-hoc committee. As per the Royals and BCCI, all administrative dealings for IPL matches are now directly coordinated with the Rajasthan State Sports Council, not the RCA or its ad-hoc body.
The RCA’s diminished role, combined with its ongoing internal elections and apparent frustration over lack of access and accreditation, appears to have triggered the present controversy.
Name of Author: Cricexec Staff
