The Rajasthan Royals are again facing scrutiny over allegations of match-fixing, this time following their narrow loss to the Lucknow Super Giants in Jaipur. Jaydeep Bihani, the convenor of the Rajasthan Cricket Association’s (RCA) ad-hoc committee, has raised concerns about the team’s sudden collapse.
Bihani told a news channel that the Royals’ defeat was hard to swallow. The team had been cruising at 156 for 2 in 17 overs, chasing a target of 181, but faltered in the final overs. They needed 25 runs off 18 balls, then 9 off 6, and finally 6 off 4, but ultimately lost by 2 runs.
The RCA’s ad-hoc committee doesn’t oversee IPL matches, Bihani said, pointing out a perceived oversight. He referenced the Royals’ troubled past, recalling the 2013 match-fixing scandal that involved some of the team’s players. The franchise’s owner, Raj Kundra, was also caught up in a betting scandal.
The Royals were banned in 2016 and 2017 due to their involvement in the scandal. Bihani suggested that this history is why the state association is being kept at arm’s length.
A Look Back at the Match
The Royals’ loss was a dramatic one. They were in control until the final overs, when they lost crucial wickets and couldn’t score the required runs. The match was closely contested, with both teams giving their all.
The controversy surrounding the Royals’ loss has sparked a fresh debate about match-fixing in the IPL, with some questioning the team’s integrity. The allegations have put the franchise under the spotlight once again.