Jaideep Bihani, convenor of the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) ad hoc committee, launched sharp accusations at IPL franchise Rajasthan Royals, sparking a match-fixing controversy.
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Rajasthan Royals Face Controversy After Narrow Defeat to Lucknow Super Giants
Rajasthan Royals suffered a heartbreaking two-run defeat to Lucknow Super Giants on April 19, 2025, in Jaipur, marking another setback in their IPL 2025 campaign. The match also witnessed 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi making his IPL debut, becoming the youngest player in the competition’s history. With regular captain Sanju Samson sidelined due to injury, RR found themselves in yet another controversy, this time facing match-fixing allegations.
Jaideep Bihani, convenor of the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) ad hoc committee, made explosive remarks accusing RR of match-fixing, adding to the already tense atmosphere surrounding the franchise. With RR currently sitting in eighth position in the points table with just four points from eight matches (two wins and six defeats), the team’s struggles on and off the field continue to make headlines.
RR accused of match-fixing
Jaideep Bihani, the convenor of the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) ad hoc committee, has raised several probing questions about the Rajasthan Royals’ performance in the IPL. His most striking comment came after RR’s recent loss to Lucknow Super Giants, where he questioned how the team, playing on their home ground, could lose despite needing so few runs in the final over. This remark has fueled further speculation and controversy surrounding the match and the team’s recent struggles.
राजस्थान रॉयल्स का पिछला मैच फिक्स था?
— News18 Rajasthan (@News18Rajasthan) April 21, 2025
RCA एड-हॉक कमेटी कन्वीनर ने लगाए गंभीर आरोप
BCCI और जांच एंजेंसियों जांच करें तो सच्चाई बाहर होगी- बिहाणी#RajasthanRoyals #IPL #LSGVsRR #BCCI #RajasthanWithNews18 pic.twitter.com/gMc65VxXMA
BJP MLA and convenor of the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) ad hoc committee, Jaideep Bihani, has accused Rajasthan Royals of sidelining the RCA in the management of the IPL 2025 season. He criticized the franchise for not allowing the RCA to oversee the proceedings, claiming that the Zila Parishad (district council) had taken control after the IPL began.
Bihani pointed out that the BCCI initially contacted the RCA, not the Zila Parishad, for managing the IPL in Rajasthan. He further questioned the franchise’s excuse regarding the lack of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Sawai Mansingh Stadium, saying, “If MOU is not there, so what? Aren’t you paying Zila Parishad for every match?”
In the match against Lucknow Super Giants, Rajasthan Royals needed nine runs in the final over to chase down 181. With Dhruv Jurel on strike and Shimron Hetmyer at the non-striker’s end, the pressure mounted. Avesh Khan removed Hetmyer with a well-executed delivery, leaving RR needing six runs from three balls. Avesh continued to apply pressure, conceding just three runs from the next three balls, and RR ultimately fell short, finishing at 178/5 in their 20 overs.