Former Ranji Trophy cricketer Rachit Bhatia has made a series of serious allegations about match fixing and the sharing of confidential team information during an undercover investigation conducted by Tehelka. The claims have attracted attention because they involve the Indian Premier League and Chennai Super Kings, one of the most prominent franchises in the tournament. However, the allegations remain claims made during the sting operation and should not be treated as established facts unless independently verified by the relevant authorities.
According to reports based on the Tehelka investigation, Bhatia claimed that he was involved in fixing five matches during the 2025 Indian Premier League season. He reportedly told an undercover reporter that he passed inside information relating to Chennai Super Kings to bookmakers based in London. The information was allegedly transmitted through Snapchat before matches. Bhatia reportedly claimed that he received around Rs 60 lakh for each match and that his total earnings from the five matches were approximately Rs 3 crore.
The nature of the information discussed in the investigation reportedly included details about the team's playing XI. Such information can be valuable to betting operators because the final playing XI is normally confirmed shortly before the start of a match. Reports have described this practice as a line up leak, in which confidential team information is allegedly passed to betting networks before the official announcement.
The Tehelka investigation also reportedly examined alleged links involving domestic cricket. Bhatia was filmed discussing the possibility of providing playing XI information from the Delhi Premier League. Reports said he allegedly offered information relating to Central Delhi Kings before the toss. The investigation has therefore raised questions about whether confidential team information could be used by betting networks across different franchise cricket competitions.
Bhatia also reportedly discussed possible fixing arrangements for IPL 2026. According to a report by CricTracker, he claimed that spot fixing in IPL 2026 could be arranged if a player connected to him was selected by a franchise. He reportedly mentioned a rate of Rs 1 crore per match for spot fixing and Rs 60 lakh for sharing playing XI information before the toss. These statements were made as part of the undercover investigation and have not been independently established as actual fixing arrangements.
The former cricketer also reportedly made claims relating to an earlier domestic tournament. According to reports, Bhatia alleged that he had engaged in spot fixing during the 2018-19 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy by deliberately bowling two wide deliveries. He reportedly claimed that he received Rs 8 lakh for each delivery, taking the alleged total to Rs 16 lakh. These are also allegations made during the investigation and require independent verification.
The latest controversy has also brought attention to Chennai Super Kings because Bhatia specifically referred to confidential information about the franchise during his conversation with the undercover reporter. Some reports have subsequently connected the alleged information source to CSK player Vansh Bedi. However, the original allegations and subsequent reports should be distinguished carefully. The published Tehelka material and news reports do not establish that Bedi committed match fixing, and speculation about his involvement should not be treated as confirmation.
The allegations have prompted a response from cricket authorities. Delhi and District Cricket Association secretary Ashok Sharma confirmed to Hindustan Times that the DDCA had written to the Board of Control for Cricket in India regarding the allegations and would follow the board's instructions on the matter. The DDCA's response is significant because some of the allegations concern the Delhi Premier League and domestic cricket.
At present, the claims made by Bhatia during the Tehelka sting remain allegations. There has been no independent finding in the sources reviewed that establishes that five IPL 2025 matches involving CSK were actually fixed. Similarly, the reported discussions about IPL 2026 fixing represent alleged conversations and not evidence that such fixing occurred.
The controversy nevertheless highlights the importance of protecting confidential team information in professional cricket. Playing XI details, player availability, injuries and tactical information can have value to betting markets before matches begin. Cricket's governing bodies have anti corruption systems designed to investigate approaches to players and the misuse or disclosure of inside information.
The next stage will depend on any investigation conducted by the BCCI, its anti corruption mechanisms or other relevant authorities. Until such investigations establish the facts, the claims made in the sting operation should be treated as allegations rather than proven match fixing.