In the ongoing IPL season, Rajasthan Royals (RR) found themselves on the losing end of a nail-biting clash against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), falling short by just 2 runs. The match was a close affair, with the Royals failing to chase down a target of 181 runs set by LSG. This loss added to their struggles in the current season, leaving the team and fans disappointed.
However, things took a dramatic turn when Jaideep Bihani, a member of the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA), made shocking match-fixing allegations against the RR squad. The accusations came right after their loss to LSG, with Bihani claiming that RR had deliberately thrown the match. He also criticized the Rajasthan Royals for excluding the RCA from managing IPL 2025 matches, raising serious concerns about transparency in the franchise's operations.
Bihani didn’t hold back in his statement to News18 Rajasthan, pointing fingers at the organizational issues surrounding IPL management in Rajasthan. "The ad hoc committee has been appointed by the state government in Rajasthan, and it has been extended for the fifth time. We ensure all competitions happen smoothly, but as soon as the IPL arrived, the Zila Parishad took control," he stated. According to Bihani, when the BCCI initially reached out to RCA about IPL matters, they had no involvement from the Zila Parishad, which he claims was a deliberate attempt to sideline the local cricket authority.
What made the matter even murkier was Bihani’s mention of the issue with the MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) between RR and Sawai Mansingh Stadium. He questioned why the Royals had claimed they could not proceed without an MOU, despite the fact that they were paying the Zila Parishad for every match. This comment sparked outrage among cricket fans, who were already critical of RR’s performance in the ongoing season.
Speaking of RR’s performance, the team’s recent results have not been promising. As it stands, RR is languishing in the 8th position on the IPL points table, a far cry from the high expectations placed on the franchise at the start of the season. Out of their first 8 matches, they have only secured 4 points, raising questions about their strategy and form. The inconsistency has been a huge disappointment for the Royals' supporters, who had hoped for a much stronger start.
The Royals’ struggles have also been compounded by the absence of their star captain, Sanju Samson, in the upcoming match against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on April 24. Samson, who had been instrumental in leading the team, sustained an abdominal injury during RR’s previous clash against Delhi Capitals. As a result, he will not be part of the playing XI for the match against RCB, which will be a significant blow to the team’s chances of making a comeback in the tournament. Samson is currently undergoing recovery at the team’s base and will not be traveling with the team to Bengaluru for this crucial encounter.
This will be the first time this season that RR will be without their regular captain, and the team will have to rely on their other players to step up in his absence. The loss of Samson, both as a leader and a key batsman, leaves a gaping hole in RR’s lineup, and it will be interesting to see how they cope without him.
Rajasthan Royals’ IPL journey has been a rollercoaster ride, with the franchise having previously faced serious setbacks. One of the most significant events in their history was the two-year ban imposed by the BCCI in 2015 due to their involvement in the infamous 2012 IPL spot-fixing case. The ban put a huge dent in their credibility and reputation, but since returning in 2018, the team has made efforts to rebuild and re-establish itself as a competitive force in the IPL.
Despite these past struggles, RR has managed to attract some top talent and build a team that promises much. However, the team’s performance in IPL 2025 has been far from spectacular, leaving fans to wonder if they will ever be able to replicate the success they once had. With a current position of 8th place and a record of just 4 points from 8 matches, the team is facing mounting pressure to turn their fortunes around quickly.
Fans of the Royals will be hoping that this season's poor performance is just a temporary setback, and they will be looking for the players to rally together and fight back in the second half of the tournament. RR will need to find their rhythm quickly if they are to make a push for the playoffs and avoid a disappointing finish to the season.
The team will also have to deal with the growing controversy surrounding the allegations made by Jaideep Bihani. The RCA member’s comments have added to the pressure surrounding the franchise, with questions being raised about the team’s internal dynamics and its relationship with local cricket authorities. While there has been no official response from Rajasthan Royals or the BCCI regarding the match-fixing allegations, the timing of the statement has only fueled speculation and mistrust among fans and experts alike.
As RR prepares for their next match against RCB, all eyes will be on how they handle the absence of Samson and whether they can silence the critics who have questioned their commitment and performance. The Rajasthan Royals have a rich history in the IPL, having won the inaugural season in 2008, but their recent struggles suggest that they may need a major overhaul in their approach to the tournament.
In conclusion, Rajasthan Royals’ journey in IPL 2025 has been full of ups and downs. With their current poor form, off-field controversies, and the absence of their star captain, the team faces an uphill battle to salvage their season. Whether they can rise above these challenges and secure a place in the playoffs remains to be seen. For now, RR fans will be hoping for a miracle, but the road to redemption looks long and tough.
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