Same Old Script, New Clowns

The Indian Premier League, that glittering carnival of sixes, scandals, and the occasional whiff of something rotten in the state of cricket. Just when you thought IPL 2025 might coast by on the fumes of overpriced players and undercooked controversies, along comes Jaideep Bihani, Rajasthan Cricket Association’s ad hoc committee convener and apparent part-time soothsayer, to declare that the Rajasthan Royals’ two-run loss to Lucknow Super Giants was—gasp—fixed. Cue the dramatic music, because here we are again, folks, wading through the same murky swamp of match-fixing allegations that the IPL seems to treat like a recurring Netflix subscription.

Picture this: Rajasthan Royals, chasing 181, need nine runs in the final over with six wickets in hand. Avesh Khan, Lucknow’s bowler, channels his inner action hero and defends the total, leaving RR two runs short. A thriller, right? Wrong. Enter Jaideep Bihani, who, with the gravitas of a man who’s watched too many crime dramas, declares, “Even a kid would say that match was fixed.” Really, Jaideep? A kid? Because apparently, the only explanation for a team choking harder than a sitcom character in a job interview is a grand conspiracy involving bookies, players, and probably a shadowy figure in a trench coat. Never mind that RR’s batting line-up might’ve just had an off day—or that Avesh bowled like his life depended on it. No, it’s got to be match-fixing, because why let logic ruin a perfectly good tantrum?

Bihani’s not alone in this circus. Former Pakistan cricketer Tanvir Ahmed, never one to miss a chance to stir the pot, chimed in, claiming “most IPL teams are controlled by match-fixers.” Oh, Tanvir, you sweet summer child, bless your heart for thinking the IPL’s chaos needs a mastermind when it’s already a masterclass in self-inflicted drama. Fans on X, with all the restraint of a toddler with a sugar rush, called him a “clown,” and honestly, they’re not wrong. But let’s not pretend this is new. The IPL’s been dodging these allegations since its inception, and 2025 is just the latest episode in a saga that’s less Breaking Bad and more Groundhog Day.

Déjà Vu, Courtesy of 2013

If this all feels like a rerun, it’s because the IPL’s been here before—specifically in 2013, when the league was rocked by a spot-fixing and betting scandal that made Bihani’s outburst look like a polite suggestion. Back then, Delhi Police arrested three Rajasthan Royals players—Sreesanth, Ajit Chandila, and Ankeet Chavan—for allegedly spot-fixing, while Chennai Super Kings’ team principal Gurunath Meiyappan was nabbed for betting and passing team info to bookies. The fallout was glorious: both RR and CSK were banned for two seasons (2016-2017), and the Lodha Committee, appointed by the Supreme Court, declared the whole mess had brought cricket “into disrepute.” No kidding, Justice Lodha—nothing says “disrepute” like players allegedly throwing overs for cash while the BCCI scrambled to look shocked.

The 2013 scandal wasn’t just a one-off; it was a neon sign that the IPL’s glitz comes with a dark underbelly. Bookies, underworld dons like Dawood Ibrahim, and even a diamond dealer got name-dropped in the investigation, turning the league into a Bollywood thriller minus the catchy soundtrack. Sreesanth and co. were later cleared by the courts for lack of evidence, but the BCCI slapped Chandila with a life ban anyway, because nothing says “zero tolerance” like a punishment that doesn’t quite stick. Fast forward to 2025, and Bihani’s dragging this history back into the spotlight, pointing to RR’s past and owner Raj Kundra’s 2013 betting rap sheet as proof of… something. What, exactly? Who knows? But it’s a great way to make everyone nostalgic for the days when “IPL” stood for “Incredibly Problematic League.”

Predictable pirouette

The BCCI, ever the master of damage control, has responded to the 2025 allegations with all the enthusiasm of a kid forced to eat broccoli. Rajasthan Royals, to their credit, didn’t just sit there; they denied the claims as “false, baseless, and without evidence” and lodged complaints with the Rajasthan government, demanding action against Bihani. Deep Roy, an RR official, called the accusations damaging to the team’s reputation, which is a bit like saying water is wet—congratulations, Deep, you’ve cracked the case. Meanwhile, the BCCI’s Anti-Corruption Security Unit (ACSU) is busy warning players about a shady Hyderabad businessman allegedly cozying up to franchises with expensive gifts. Because nothing screams “integrity” like a pre-emptive memo about a guy who sounds like he’s auditioning for The Wolf of Wall Street.

This isn’t the BCCI’s first rodeo. Post-2013, they beefed up anti-corruption measures, hired more ACSU officers, and started regulating player agents. Yet here we are, with allegations flying and no concrete evidence to show for it. The BCCI’s response to Bihani’s claims? Crickets—pun intended. No investigation has been announced, and the league’s chugging along like a train that’s derailed but refuses to stop. Maybe they’re hoping we’ll all get distracted by Rishabh Pant’s record-breaking auction price or Virat Kohli’s latest milestone. Spoiler: we won’t.

(The author is a senior journalist based in Mumbai. Views personal.)