Rajasthan Royals slam match-fixing allegations

Jaipur: Rajasthan Royals are facing a challenging period. Beyond their poor performance and reported team discord, the Jaipur-based team now confronts accusations of match-fixing. Following Royals’ narrow two-run defeat to Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at Sawai Mansingh Stadium last Saturday, RCA ad hoc committee convenor and BJP MLA Jaideep Bihani has raised match-fixing accusations.

He questioned the team’s inability to score nine runs in the final over with six wickets remaining. Bihani, who expressed doubts about the loss, has called for an investigation by the BCCI and other agencies. “I have not filed a police complaint. I have spoken to the media and now it’s on the BCCI to investigate the matter,” he stated.

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Royals vice-president Rajeev Khanna dismissed these claims as unfounded. “The RCA ad hoc convenor’s statement is totally factless and is condemnable. Royals have filed an official complaint with Rajasthan State Sports Council (RSSC) which is our host association and have communicated the same to state chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma and to sports minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, stating that these kind of baseless statement from a MLA is hurtful and demotivates players who give their best to win games,” he stated.

Bihani further alleged that Royals and RSSC excluded RCA from IPL operations, despite BCCI’s initial contact with RCA for arrangements. He criticised the sports council’s stadium management and claimed RCA’s resources, including curator Taposh Chatterjee, were utilised without payment, whilst committee members were denied accreditation.

RSSC chairman and state sports secretary Neeraj K Pawan said responded that the ad hoc panel’s responsibility is limited to conducting RCA elections. Regarding fixing allegations, Pawan said, “The anti-corruption team of BCCI sits here before the match, during the match and after the match, so whatever is being said is fictional.”