The Board of Control for Cricket in India has taken strict action after a spot fixing related incident during the Ranji Trophy 2024 season. The board announced a lifetime ban following an investigation into corrupt activity.
Video analyst Raja Reddy has been banned for life after being found guilty of violating anti corruption rules. The incident is linked to the Ranji Trophy quarterfinal between Andhra cricket team and Madhya Pradesh cricket team played in Indore.
The case surfaced when Andhra cricketer Girinath Reddy reported a suspicious approach. According to his complaint, Raja Reddy allegedly offered him Rs 5 lakh. In return, he asked for inside information about Andhra’s playing XI.
He also reportedly asked the player to concede five runs across two overs during the match. Instead of accepting the offer, Girinath Reddy immediately informed the team management about the approach. The Andhra team manager later escalated the matter to cricket authorities.
During the investigation, officials reviewed call records and digital messages linked to the accused. The inquiry revealed that Raja Reddy had contacted the player multiple times through WhatsApp calls and messages. However, the player refused to cooperate.
Investigators also examined the accused’s mobile phone and found several suspicious details. According to the report, betting applications were installed on the device. Such applications are strictly prohibited for individuals working within cricket under BCCI regulations.
Officials also discovered multiple email accounts connected to online betting services. One account showed an active profile on bet365, a well known betting website. Another account was linked to Skrill, commonly used for online betting transactions.
During questioning, Raja Reddy admitted that the bet365 account belonged to him. He stated that he had placed bets earlier in the past. The investigation also revealed that the account was reactivated in February 2023.
At that time, he was already working in a role covered under the BCCI Anti Corruption Code. Based on the evidence, the board concluded that he had violated Articles 2.1.3 and 2.1.4 of the Anti Corruption Code.
Following the findings, the BCCI imposed a lifetime ban on Raja Reddy from all cricket related activities. The decision sends a strong message that corruption will not be tolerated in Indian domestic cricket.
