Rajasthan Royals respond to fixing claims after LSG loss

A fresh controversy has erupted between the Rajasthan Royals (RR) and the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) after Jaydeep Bihani, convener of the RCA’s ad hoc committee, publicly questioned the legitimacy of RR’s recent two-run loss to Lucknow Super Giants in the ongoing IPL 2025 season.

In a statement, Bihani raised suspicions over the outcome of the match, even hinting at potential tampering, while also accusing the Rajasthan Royals, the Rajasthan Sports Council, and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) of colluding to marginalize the RCA’s ad hoc committee from IPL-related activities in Jaipur.

In response, the Rajasthan Royals management submitted a formal complaint to the Chief Minister of Rajasthan, as well as the Sports Minister and Sports Secretary, demanding strict action against Bihani. The franchise condemned his remarks, calling them “false, baseless, and without any evidence.”

“We reject all allegations made by the convener of the ad hoc committee,” RR management said in a statement. “Such public statements are not only misleading but have caused serious damage to the reputation of the Rajasthan Royals, Royal Multi Sport Private Limited (RMPL), the Rajasthan Sports Council, and the BCCI. They also tarnish the integrity of cricket.”

The franchise highlighted its long-standing 18-year partnership with the state government and sports bodies, asserting that it is fully compliant with BCCI regulations. It further clarified that, under the BCCI’s current arrangements, the Rajasthan Sports Council holds the official rights to host IPL matches in Jaipur this season.

RR added that it is working in close coordination with both the Sports Council and the BCCI, under the guidance of the state government, to ensure the smooth conduct of the tournament.

Bihani, however, has maintained that the RCA’s ad hoc committee was deliberately sidelined from the IPL arrangements in Jaipur. He alleged that the Sports Council did not involve RCA representatives and failed to issue accreditation cards for committee members, despite the RCA’s track record of successfully hosting ICC and BCCI events in the past.