IPL 2025: Rajasthan Royals face match-fixing allegations after loss to LSG

The Rajasthan Royals (RR) have landed in fresh controversy after a shocking two-run defeat against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in Match 36 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025.

With nine runs required off the final over and six wickets in hand, the Sanju Samson-led side collapsed dramatically at their home ground in Jaipur, sparking allegations of foul play.

Jaideep Bihani, convenor of the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) ad hoc committee, raised serious concerns over the nature of RR’s defeat. In an interview with News18 Rajasthan, Bihani alleged that there may have been match-fixing involved.

He recalled the franchise’s tainted history, referring to the 2013 IPL spot-fixing scandal that led to the arrest of players and a two-year suspension for the team due to betting charges involving co-owner Raj Kundra.

Bihani stated, “On the home ground, how did they lose when requiring so few runs in the final over?” He called on the BCCI and relevant investigative agencies to probe the match.

The controversy doesn't end there. Bihani also claimed that the Rajasthan Cricket Association was sidelined from IPL hosting duties under “baseless excuses.” According to him, although the BCCI initially sent the hosting correspondence to RCA, the Rajasthan Sports Council and Rajasthan Royals took over, citing a lack of a formal MoU with the Sawai Mansingh Stadium. He questioned the rationale: “If MoU is not there, so what? Aren’t you paying Sports Council for every match?”

He added that the ad hoc committee, appointed by the state government, had received its fifth extension due to successful administration. “During our tenure, we’ve conducted all competitions successfully right from the district level to the national level. However, as soon as the time for hosting IPL came, the Sports Council took control of it,” Bihani said.

This is not the first time RR has choked under pressure this season. In another earlier match against Delhi Capitals, the Royals failed to score nine runs in the last over despite having seven wickets in hand and eventually lost in a Super Over. Following four consecutive defeats, they now sit eighth in the points table, with just two wins from eight matches and four points overall.

Their most recent defeat on April 19 in Jaipur also witnessed a significant IPL moment—14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi made his debut, becoming the youngest player in the history of the league. Meanwhile, Sanju Samson was absent due to injury, and is expected to miss the next fixture as well.

Under the guidance of head coach Rahul Dravid, RR now faces mounting pressure both on and off the field. They will next take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on April 24 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru.