The convener of the RCAS and the hoc committee, Jaydeep Bihani, has raised concerns over the Rajasthan Royals’ recent 2-run loss to Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL 2025 season.
Chasing the target of 181 runs, Rajasthan needed only six runs in the last three balls. However, they failed to score the required runs at Lucknow.
Bihani suggested that the result might be questionable and even hinted at possible tampering. In response to the accusations, the Rajasthan Royals franchise had registered a formal complaint to the Chief Minister, Sports Minister and Sports Secretary, calling for strict action against Bihani.
“The ad hoc committee has been appointed by the state government in Rajasthan. It has extended for a fifth time. We make sure all competitions take place without any issues. But then just as IPL came, the Zila Parishad (district council) took control of it.”
“For IPL, the BCCI had first sent a letter to RCA only, not Zila Parishad. The excuse given by them and RR that we don’t have an MOU from Sawai Mansingh Stadium. If MOU is not there, so what? Aren’t you paying Zila Parishad for every match?” said Bihani.
Deep Roy, a senior official with the team has dismissed the allegations as “false, baseless, and without any evidence”.
“We reject all allegations made by the convener of the ad hoc committee. Such public statements are not only misleading but have caused serious damage to the reputation and credibility of Rajasthan Royals, Royal Multi Sport Private Limited (RMPL), the Rajasthan Sports Council, and the BCCI. They also tarnish the integrity of cricket,” said a RR statement.
The franchise emphasised their 18 year partnership with the state association and government, and its ongoing work in full compliance with BCCI guidelines.
According to the BCCI’s current arrangements, Rajasthan Sports Council holds the official rights to host IPL matches in Jaipur for the ongoing season.
Rajasthan Royals are in the eighth place in the IPL 2025 Points table after six losses in eight games.
RR will play their next game against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on April 24 at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
