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Match fixing allegations return to haunt IPL as Rajasthan Royals' collapse raises questions

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Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) ad hoc committee convener Jaideep Bihani has suggested the possibility of match fixing in the nail-biting IPL match held in Jaipur, where Rajasthan Royals (RR) suffered a two-run defeat against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).


Chasing a target of 181 runs, Sanju Samson’s men required just nine runs in the final over, with six wickets in hand.


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In a surprising turn of events, RR failed to cross the finish line, with LSG’s Avesh Khan delivering an exceptional final over to seal a dramatic win.


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The loss has stirred controversy, as RR was in an advantageous position heading into the final over.



Speaking to News18 Rajasthan, Bihani alleged that the outcome of the match seemed suspicious.


“Even a kid would claim after watching the last over of the match that it was fixed,” he said.


Bihani went on to question how a side playing on its home turf, and needing just a few runs with multiple wickets in hand, could lose in such a manner.


He also pointed to the Rajasthan Royals' controversial past, referencing the 2013 spot-fixing scandal in which RR players were implicated.


The franchise was later banned for two seasons in 2016 and 2017, along with Chennai Super Kings, following betting charges involving former RR co-owner Raj Kundra.


Bihani lashed out at the Rajasthan Sports Council for taking over the management of IPL matches, sidelining the RCA.


He stated that the ad hoc committee—appointed by the Rajasthan government—had its term extended for the fifth time due to the satisfactory conduct of several district to national-level competitions.


But he alleged that when it came to hosting IPL matches, the district council stepped in, citing the lack of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between RCA and the Sawai Mansingh (SMS) Stadium.


“For IPL, the BCCI had first sent a letter to RCA only. The excuse given by the Sports Council and RR was that we don’t have an MoU from Sawai Mansingh Stadium. If MoU is not there, so what? Aren’t you paying the Sports Council for every match?” Bihani questioned.


He also reiterated that the RCA had handled cricketing affairs throughout the state under the ad hoc committee’s tenure, yet the moment IPL responsibilities came up, the district council intervened.


Bihani has now demanded an investigation into the matter, urging the BCCI and other relevant agencies to look into the circumstances surrounding the match.


This recent defeat wasn’t an isolated incident.


Rajasthan Royals failed to chase down nine runs in the final over against Delhi Capitals earlier in the tournament, despite having seven wickets in hand.


That match ended in a loss via Super Over.


Following their fourth consecutive defeat, the Royals now find themselves languishing at the eighth position on the points table, with only two wins from eight matches and a total of four points.



This is a shady franchise - is it possible they did this again in broad daylight?
 
Justice needs to be served

Justice delayed is Justice denied.

ICC should.intervene into it and make it a swift case, as they have zero tolerance for corruption and fixing. Surely BCcI and IPL governing council cannot be given free hand . Who are the Aussie or SA players playing for RR , CA & CSA needs to issue a joint statement demanding speedy investigation and may be calling back their players
 


All Indian sources reporting it ,where there is smoke there is fire
 
Dude, this is just one guy making allegations at this point of time. Obviously BCCI will have no tolerance for such stuff and thoroughly investigate this.
 
Politician crap. Nobody gives a crap about what he thinks. It is a political stunt. So many fans say "match is fixed" after loss even at international. This guy is no different. Just because this guy is a politician it doesn't have any truth.
 
Sorry if this is off topic did anyone see ishan kishan dismissal in ipl game he was given out by an umpire caught behind on the legside no one appealed including the bowler umpire gave him out ishan kishan walked not review highlights showed he missed the ball very unusual I never seen this before
 
The sequence of Ishaan event is:
1) Ball was Bowled leg side by Deepak Chahar
2) Ishan Kishan try to attempt it,misses and the ball goes to Keeper.
3) He either had a brain fade or he might have felt, he has hit the ball and walks off without seeing anyone else including umpire.
4) Umpire initially raised his hand for wide, however seeing Ishan walking out he decides to turn his hand to Out.

5) However no one in Mumbai Appealed and umpire got confused whether to give out or not.
6) seeing umpire raising half hand and Ishan walks off, Deepak Chahar appeals and then umpire gave out.

Here Ishan's action definitely create some suspicion and may be investigated for spot fixing. But don't agree the match was fixed or scripted. Even blaming Umpire is wrong..
 
The sequence of Ishaan event is:
1) Ball was Bowled leg side by Deepak Chahar
2) Ishan Kishan try to attempt it,misses and the ball goes to Keeper.
3) He either had a brain fade or he might have felt, he has hit the ball and walks off without seeing anyone else including umpire.
4) Umpire initially raised his hand for wide, however seeing Ishan walking out he decides to turn his hand to Out.

5) However no one in Mumbai Appealed and umpire got confused whether to give out or not.
6) seeing umpire raising half hand and Ishan walks off, Deepak Chahar appeals and then umpire gave out.

Here Ishan's action definitely create some suspicion and may be investigated for spot fixing. But don't agree the match was fixed or scripted. Even blaming Umpire is wrong..
Mumbai Indians are always accused of this due to Ambani. Because a couple of isolated incidents. Biggest one is Malinga's big noball not being called in the IPL final. Back then ball checking was not there.
 
Mumbai Indians are always accused of this due to Ambani. Because a couple of isolated incidents. Biggest one is Malinga's big noball not being called in the IPL final. Back then ball checking was not there.
It's inevitable, when such a big name is involved in cricket. Actually there are more than couple of Incidents; there were multiple dubious decisions given across all teams at different points of time..but when it is given for MI and CSK, it gets highlighted more being the champions side..But I strongly believe that it is to do with one or two Individuals who are involved and not the whole team or the franchise..It is not possible for a owner or coach or a captain to say to the whole team that today you are going to bowl poorly, throw your wicket or lose the match...If all these matches are scripted, then Hollywood studios should hire them as scriptwriters for their movies as they will be best script writers in the world..
 
Indian posters, raise your hands if you haven't watched a single ball of this year's IPL. I just can't get myself excited for it for some reason. National tribalism ftw.
 
Indian posters, raise your hands if you haven't watched a single ball of this year's IPL. I just can't get myself excited for it for some reason. National tribalism ftw.
I like this season better than before. After mega auction teams got rearranged. We don't see the same old guys making playoffs. Lot of unpredictability.
 
Politician crap. Nobody gives a crap about what he thinks. It is a political stunt. So many fans say "match is fixed" after loss even at international. This guy is no different. Just because this guy is a politician it doesn't have any truth.
You would have said the same before the 2013 scandal.
 
Indian posters, raise your hands if you haven't watched a single ball of this year's IPL. I just can't get myself excited for it for some reason. National tribalism ftw.
The problem with all franchise cricket is that it has no meaning. If it has no meaning then what are you watching?
 
BCCI seeks to criminalise match-fixing ‘to protect cricket’

Indian cricket authorities have petitioned the country’s top court to make match-fixing a criminal offence in a bid to ramp up the pressure on illegal bookmakers and bent players.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the world’s richest cricket body, has argued to the Supreme Court that “the act of match-fixing constitutes a criminal offence”.

The BCCI said it had stepped up to protect the sport, in court documents seen by AFP on Thursday.

“The prevalence of corrupt practices in cricket matches has an adverse impact on the game and undermines the integrity of the sport,” the BCCI wrote in documents filed with the court registrar on October 14.

The BCCI’s legal argument is that match-fixing counts as cheating by deception — an existing offence under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) — and therefore should be counted as a crime.

The case continues.

The appeal stems from allegations of match-fixing during a state cricket league in 2018-2019 in Karnataka involving six people — including two players, the coach and team owner.

The High Court in the southern state dismissed it as a criminal case in 2022.

The first major scandal in Indian cricket to make headlines erupted in April 2000 when police intercepted calls between bookmakers and South Africa captain Hansie Cronje during his team’s tour of India.

Cronje confessed to throwing matches and named India’s then captain Mohammad Azharuddin as the person who introduced him to bookmakers.

The BCCI instituted its own anti-corruption codes in 2019, which give the board the power to issue fines and lifetime bans.

“Public confidence in the authenticity and integrity of the sporting contest is vital,” the code reads, submitted to the court.

“If that confidence is undermined, then the very essence of cricket will be shaken to the core.”

Another fixing controversy broke out in the Indian Premier League in 2013 when players and officials from Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings were found involved in spot-fixing and betting activities.

Key players were banned for breaching the BCCI’s code of conduct and the teams suspended for two years.

Neighbouring Sri Lanka introduced tough laws to tackle match-fixing in 2019, including up to 10 years in jail and fines of 100 million rupees ($333,000).

That came after then sports minister Harin Fernando said the game was riddled with graft “from top to bottom”.

Sri Lanka’s former spin bowler Sachithra Senanayake became the first to be prosecuted under the law in June. He denies wrongdoing.

Source: DAWN
 
Congratulations to the Soumani group

Rajasthan Royals has a special place in the heart of Pakistan fans.

The beautiful season 1 where Sohail Tanvir bowled them to the league title under the captaincy of the great Shane Warne.

best of luck to the new owners (y)
 
This deal officially makes Rajasthan Royals the first IPL franchise to be sold for over $1 billion.

Kal Somani is a US-based serial tech entrepreneur and founder of global tech firms like IntraEdge, Truyo, and Academian. He is no stranger to the franchise, having held a minority stake in the Royals since 2021. He also has a growing footprint in global sports tech as a co-owner of the Motor City Golf Club and an early investor in TMRW Sports (founded by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy).

What makes this consortium particularly powerful is its deep financial muscle. It includes:
  • Rob Walton: Heir to the Walmart fortune and owner of the NFL's Denver Broncos. With a net worth exceeding $110 billion, he is widely considered the wealthiest sports owner in the United States.
  • The Hamp Family: Led by Sheila Ford Hamp (of the Ford Motor Company dynasty), who also owns the NFL's Detroit Lions.
The outgoing ownership group has been in talks for a complete 100% sale for the past six months, a process overseen by the investment bank The Raine Group. The sellers include:
  • Emerging Media Ventures: Led by British-Indian businessman Manoj Badale, who previously held a controlling stake of around 65%.
  • Minority Investors: This included the American private equity firm RedBird Capital Partners (which held about 15%) and Lachlan Murdoch of Fox Corporation.
This deal highlights the explosive, soaring valuations of IPL franchises. For context, the Royals were originally bought before the inaugural 2008 season for just $67 million—making them the cheapest franchise sold by the BCCI at the time. Now, they have set a historic new benchmark, driven by the increasing convergence of American sports capital, global tech entrepreneurs, and the massive media rights associated with Indian cricket.
 
Initial Purchase Price (2008): $67 million

Final Sale Price (2026): $1.63 billion

Gross Capital Appreciation: ~$1.56 billion

In simple terms, the franchise's valuation multiplied by more than 24 times (a staggering 2,330% increase) since the inaugural season.

Estimated profits the current owners will make on this sale :-

1. Manoj Badale & Emerging Media Ventures (~65% Stake)
  • Estimated Payout: ~$1.06 billion
  • The Profit: Badale's group was the primary financial engine behind the original $67 million purchase. Even factoring in years of operating expenses and earlier stake dilutions, their net profit is comfortably hovering near the $1 billion mark.
2. RedBird Capital Partners (~15% Stake)
  • Their Buy-In (2021): They bought their 15% stake just five years ago when the team was valued at roughly $250 million, meaning they paid around $37.5 million.
  • Estimated Payout: ~$244.5 million. A massive 6.5x return on investment in just five years for the American private equity firm.
3. Lachlan Murdoch (~13% Stake)
  • Estimated Payout: ~$212 million
  • The Profit: Murdoch has been an investor since the early days. Assuming his buy-in was proportional to the early valuation, his profit likely sits comfortably above $180 million.
 
Didn't IPL lose 20% value in recent times? I expect it to drop further.

These purchases are all flexes. Not sound investments. :inti

There is a reason why only Indian investors buy random cricket franchises and not others. Others are not stupid. :dav
 
Didn't IPL lose 20% value in recent times? I expect it to drop further.

These purchases are all flexes. Not sound investments. :inti

There is a reason why only Indian investors buy random cricket franchises and not others. Others are not stupid. :dav


Both of Somani's consortium members — Rob Walton and Sheila Ford Hamp — are NFL owners.

Walton owns the Denver Broncos while Ford Hamp owns the Detroit Lions.

Walton is believed to be the richest sports owner in the US, with his net worth estimated at over $110b by Forbes.
 
Didn't IPL lose 20% value in recent times? I expect it to drop further.

These purchases are all flexes. Not sound investments. :inti

There is a reason why only Indian investors buy random cricket franchises and not others. Others are not stupid. :dav
Another crying moment for you😁


Even Blackstone is eying for an IPL team. RCB will be sold next while there wont be any-other exits I presume as rest are owned by Conglomerates mostly.

IPL will compete with NFL in near future and hopefully take Cricket as a global sport.
 
Another crying moment for you😁


Even Blackstone is eying for an IPL team. RCB will be sold next while there wont be any-other exits I presume as rest are owned by Conglomerates mostly.

IPL will compete with NFL in near future and hopefully take Cricket as a global sport.

His country sucks because of this mentality whereas yours progressed because you were real about things and acknowledged truth. I always say harsh things about India but its a quality of you Indian people that you work on your weaknesses if you can. I respect that.
 
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His country sucks because of this mentality whereas yours progressed because you were real about things and acknowledged truth. I always say harsh things about India but its a quality of you Indian people that you work on your weaknesses if you can. I respect that.
When are you reverting back from hamza to pankaj ?
 
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Thanks, but our true reward is in the burnol sales increase and seeing the mental gymnastics of some people attempting to make nonsense sarcastical posts while burning inside.
This value has been created because of the time and effort you guys spend on cricket and consuming cricket content etc.

I do think cricket is over-valued outside of India ( and probably within India too), but Indians can sell out WPL matches whereas international matches struggle in some countries. So big companies are happy to pay big amounts because they feel like they will eventually make an ROI.

Yes, there is a corporate culture, but it has been built on the average fans. My only hope is that fans remain an active buffer against over commercialisation. At the moment, it doesn't seem to be the case and Indians are happy to get swept away based on nationalism, but over time we can hopefully see Indian fans become a force for positivity in cricket.
 
Didn't IPL lose 20% value in recent times? I expect it to drop further.

These purchases are all flexes. Not sound investments. :inti

There is a reason why only Indian investors buy random cricket franchises and not others. Others are not stupid. :dav

You are unlikely to see any gora billionaire or Arab billionaire buying these cricket franchises.

They buy football franchises or other profitable ventures.

Indian owners buy these so that they can brag to others. There is little to no long-term profit in these. :qdkcheeky
 
Both of Somani's consortium members — Rob Walton and Sheila Ford Hamp — are NFL owners.

Walton owns the Denver Broncos while Ford Hamp owns the Detroit Lions.

Walton is believed to be the richest sports owner in the US, with his net worth estimated at over $110b by Forbes.
Don’t give so many numbers, he perhaps thinks IPL is like bpl
 
You are unlikely to see any gora billionaire or Arab billionaire buying these cricket franchises.

They buy football franchises or other profitable ventures.

Indian owners buy these so that they can brag to others. There is little to no long-term profit in these. :qdkcheeky

Rob walton of walmart is indian?


What do Bangladeshis understand about billionaires? How many Bangladeshis are on forbes list of billionaires?

Indians grow up loving cricket and India has enough money and billionaires to support the ipl


Who is buying BPL team?
 
Didn't IPL lose 20% value in recent times? I expect it to drop further.

These purchases are all flexes. Not sound investments. :inti

There is a reason why only Indian investors buy random cricket franchises and not others. Others are not stupid. :dav

No one buy bpl teams because they have little valu.
 
Rob walton of walmart is indian?


What do Bangladeshis understand about billionaires? How many Bangladeshis are on forbes list of billionaires?

Indians grow up loving cricket and India has enough money and billionaires to support the ipl


Who is buying BPL team?
lol @Rana

Its soo funny watching an Indian boost about his country's billionaires. Like who does that? Making their papas out of stranger.

Thats like us Pakistani boosting about we have Malik Riaz lol

Jaib mein phuti kori nahi, aur billionaires asay defend kartay jaisey inkay """* ho
 
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lol @Rana

Its soo funny watching an Indian boost about his country's billionaires. Like who does that? Making their papas out of stranger.

Thats like us Pakistani boosting about we have Malik Riaz lol

Jaib mein phuti kori nahi, aur billionaires asay defend kartay jaisey inkay """* ho

This applies on psL and Pakistan cricket that jaib mein phuti kori nahi aur ipl window mein league karana hai,

The mone in Indian cricket is a striaght reflection of the strength of Indian economy, unlike the imf bailout based Pakistani economy,

Let me tell you you the difference,

What is malik riaz?compare him to Ambani and you will understand the difference between IPL and psL

Indian billionaires invest in cricket all over the world, their money brings the best players to the IPLand its their money because of which players leave psL to join IPL, this is Indian money, unlike Pakistanis who think some arab or English or American guy will come to invest in their cricket, Indian cricket runs on Indian money, that’s the point, that you fail to grasp,
 
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