DDCA responds as Tehelka sting revives match-fixing claims in Delhi Premier League and IPL

NEW DELHI: A sting operation conducted by the Indian magazine Tehelka has cast a fresh spotlight on alleged match-fixing and the leaking of sensitive team information in Indian cricket, with a former Ranji Trophy player claiming involvement in both the Indian Premier League and domestic T20 leagues. In the undercover footage, Nagaland pacer and former Delhi school cricketer Rachit Bhatia is seen alleging that he fixed matches and passed confidential playing XIs to bookmakers. According to the report, Bhatia claimed he shared Indian Premier League (IPL) side Chennai Super Kings’ team details with London-based bookies via Snapchat before the toss during the 2025 IPL season, asserting he earned large sums in the process. He also spoke of similar activities in the Delhi Premier League and other state competitions, as well as accepting payments from parents to secure places for children in age-group sides. These claims, which have not been verified by any competent authority, have once again raised concerns about the vulnerability of franchise and lower-tier cricket in India to corrupt approaches. The Delhi and District Cricket Association responded on Tuesday to the controversy surrounding the recently concluded Delhi Premier League. A senior DDCA official confirmed to Press Trust of India (PTI) news agency that only one corrupt approach related to match-fixing had been reported to the league’s Anti-Corruption Unit during the tournament. “Central Delhi’s Vansh Bedi was approached by a fixer and he immediately reported the matter to the ACU,” the official was quoted as saying by PTI. Bedi, 23, who represented Central Delhi Kings and had earlier been part of the Chennai Super Kings squad in the 2025 IPL, followed protocol by promptly flagging the approach. The DDCA has formally informed the Board of Control for Cricket in India and sought its guidance. No other official complaints were lodged with the ACU, the official added. DDCA Secretary Ashok Sharma said Bedi reported an approach from a player from Uttar Pradesh who was also playing in a T20 league in that state. The association underlined that security liaison officers had been deployed with every team and described its anti-corruption arrangements as “watertight.” In a statement, the DDCA termed the broader allegations emerging from the Tehelka investigation “unverified” and cautioned against drawing conclusions about any player or franchise solely on the basis of such reports. It confirmed it had written to the relevant authorities requesting a proper examination of the matter. Bedi has denied any link to the match-fixing claims made in the sting, describing certain reports associating him with them as false and defamatory, and said his legal team was pursuing action. Published in Dawn, September 23rd, 2026

An alleged fixing scandal could once again rock Indian cricket after an explosive sting operation revealed links to the Delhi Premier League and the IPL. A former Ranji player claims to have facilitated the same. Former CSK player Vansh Bedi has also been caught up in the mix, while the nature of the allegations remain unproven. The DDCA are taking matters seriously and have sought the help of BCCI to follow due process in the same. pic.twitter.com/rOc1jD15vA— DDCA (@delhi_cricket) September 22, 2026 Sting operation reveals shocking claimsMedia outlet Tehelka's sting operation featured former Ranji player Rachit Bhatia making strong match-fixing claims. Bhatia claimed that he passed information to bookies via Snapchat. A former Delhi school cricketer who also played for Nagaland, Rachit claimed he brokered information from a young player, who featured for CSK in the IPL and played in the DPL. Eagle eyed netizens soon found the link to be Vansh Bedi. Bedi was part of CSK's squad in IPL 2025, but was subsequently released by the franchise. Bedi reported corruption approachAs per Times of India, Bedi reported an approach for match-fixing to the authorities. "Vansh Bedi promptly reported a corrupt approach to the Anti-Corruption wing from a player from Uttar Pradesh, who was also playing a T20 league in the state. We have attached SLOs with every team this year and all our arrangements have been watertight," said DDCA Secretary Ashok Sharma.The same was registered and DDCA has since sought BCCI direction. Asian Games 2026: Smriti Mandhana Creates History, Becomes First Women’s Cricketer To Complete 11,000 International RunsDDCA seeks due processThe DDCA on Tuesday addressed recent reports alleging irregularities involving certain players and a franchise associated with the Delhi Premier League (DPL)The DDCA said the allegations remain unverified and have not been established by any competent authority, and that it has shared the information with the relevant authorities for examination through the appropriate process.“Given the seriousness of the matter, DDCA has written to the respective authorities and shared the information that has come to its notice, requesting that the matter be examined through the appropriate established processes. DDCA maintains a zero-tolerance approach towards any activity that may compromise the integrity of cricket and will extend its full cooperation to any inquiry undertaken by the competent authorities," it said in a statement.