Rajasthan Royals Caught in Match-Fixing Storm After Shocking Loss to LSG in IPL 2025

The Rajasthan Royals (RR) are not just losing matches in IPL 2025, they are now drowning in controversy too. After their dramatic two-run loss to Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on April 19 in Jaipur, the Royals have been accused of match-fixing, again!

The shocking accusation comes from Jaideep Bihani, convener of the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) ad hoc committee and Sri Ganganagar MLA. He questioned how RR, playing at their home ground, failed to score just nine runs in the final over. His statement has sparked outrage and thrown the franchise into a full-blown crisis.

RR, currently 8th in the IPL points table with just two wins in eight games, lacked confidence in their 181-run chase. In the final over, with Dhruv Jurel on strike and Hetmyer at the other end, they needed just 9 runs. But Avesh Khan held his nerve. He dismissed Hetmyer and gave away only three more runs. RR fell short by two runs, finishing at 178/5.

While fans were still processing the defeat, Bihani dropped a bombshell. He accused RR of fixing the match and even hinted at collusion between the RR franchise, the Rajasthan Sports Council, and the BCCI to sideline the RCA ad hoc committee.

‘Without Proof’ - RR Management Slams RCA’s Allegations over RR vs LSG Match Fixing

In response, the Rajasthan Royals management hit back hard. They called Bihani’s claims “false, baseless, and without any proof.” Deep Roy, a senior RR official, said the statements had damaged the reputation of the team, the BCCI, and the Rajasthan Sports Council.

RR even wrote formal complaints to the Chief Minister, Sports Minister, and Sports Secretary demanding strict action against Bihani.

But the drama doesn’t stop there. Bihani claims the Sports Council conspired to keep his committee away from IPL events. He alleged that no accreditation was given to RCA’s ad hoc members for the Jaipur match.

All this has come at the worst time for RR. Their captain, Sanju Samson, is injured. They’ve lost six of eight games. And now, they’re caught in a firestorm of allegations.

Even the debut of 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi, now the youngest IPL player ever, couldn’t lift the mood. Undoubtedly, the Royals are under pressure, both on and off the field.