Rajasthan Royals Caught in Match-Fixing Storm After Nail-Biting Defeat to Lucknow Super Giants

The Rajasthan Royals have found themselves at the center of a storm after their narrow two-run loss to the Lucknow Super Giants in Match 36 of the IPL 2025 season. What initially seemed like a thrilling cricketing contest has now turned controversial, with accusations of match-fixing emerging from within Rajasthan’s political and cricketing circles.

The team, which once lifted the IPL trophy in the inaugural 2008 season, is now battling both on-field setbacks and off-field allegations.

During the match held at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur, Rajasthan looked well on course to chase down a target of 181 runs. With just nine runs required off the final over and six wickets in hand, victory appeared all but certain.

Dhruv Jurel and Shimron Hetmyer were at the crease, and the atmosphere was tense yet hopeful. However, Lucknow pacer Avesh Khan delivered a superb final over, executing perfect yorkers and conceding only six runs while dismissing Hetmyer.

Rajasthan fell just short, ending their innings at 178 for five.

The dramatic turn of events didn’t sit well with Jaideep Bihani, an MLA from Sri Ganganagar and the convenor of the Rajasthan Cricket Association’s ad hoc committee. In an explosive interview with News18 Rajasthan, Bihani raised questions over the legitimacy of the Royals’ defeat.

He demanded a formal investigation and hinted at the possibility of match-fixing, stating that it was difficult to digest how a team with such a strong position could lose on their home ground in the final over.

He pointed to the past controversies surrounding the franchise, including the 2013 spot-fixing scandal and the two-season ban that followed, to stress the need for scrutiny.

The match-fixing allegation wasn’t the only concern voiced by Bihani. He also took issue with the administrative decisions surrounding the IPL’s hosting in Jaipur. According to him, the RCA’s temporary committee, which is now in its fifth extension, was sidelined during the league.

He claimed that despite BCCI initially communicating only with the RCA, the responsibility of managing the IPL matches was shifted to the district council under the pretext of a missing Memorandum of Understanding for the stadium.

Bihani argued that even without an MoU, the Rajasthan Royals were paying the district council for each match and questioned why the RCA was excluded from organizing responsibilities.

Adding more context to the criticism was the Royals’ overall performance this season. With only two wins from eight games, the team currently sits in eighth place on the points table.

Their recent matches have followed a worrying pattern, with multiple close losses including another failed chase where they couldn’t score nine runs in the final over against Delhi Capitals, eventually losing in the Super Over.

These consistent failures to close out matches have led many to question the team’s strategies, execution, and now, even integrity.

The controversy has come at a time when the Royals are already dealing with injuries and team changes. Captain Sanju Samson missed the match due to injury, and 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi made his IPL debut, becoming the youngest player in tournament history. However, the focus has quickly shifted from player milestones to governance and match integrity.

As of now, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not issued any statement regarding the allegations.

The Rajasthan Royals franchise has also remained silent. However, the growing public debate, fueled by political voices and media coverage, may compel cricket authorities to address the concerns.

The Royals are set to face Royal Challengers Bengaluru in their next match at the Chinnaswamy Stadium on April 24. ]With their playoff hopes hanging by a thread and questions surrounding their recent performance, the pressure on the team has never been higher. Fans, analysts, and officials will all be watching closely not just for how they play, but how they respond to the serious charges being levied against them.