A Tehelka SIT report exposes a cricket fixing racket in the prestigious Delhi Premier League (DPL) tournament, as former Ranji player offers privileged playing-XI information ahead of a match for money and makes startling claims about match-fixing, spot-fixing, selections and the IPL.
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3 August 2026 will go down as a black day in the history of Indian cricket. On that day, the Tehelka SIT, for the first time in India, exposed a match-fixing scandal involving the use of inside information for betting purposes. The incident relates to Match No. 7 of the third edition of the Delhi Premier League (DPL) T20, played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi between Central Delhi Kings and North Delhi Strikers. The DPL is one of India’s most prominent franchise-based cricket tournaments after the IPL. Cricket is a religion in India, and the sport has witnessed several scandals over the years, including match-fixing controversies that have shaken the cricketing world.
But this is the first time in India that the Tehelka SIT has caught a former Ranji player on camera sharing inside information about a DPL match, well before the official toss, for betting purposes and in exchange for money. Such conduct constitutes an offence under the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Anti-Corruption Code, specifically Articles 2.3.1 and 2.3.2, which govern participants’ use and disclosure of inside information. According to the Tehelka SIT’s investigation, the player shared the information solely for betting purposes, initially demanding Rs 40 lakh, before the deal was eventually settled at Rs 3 lakh.
“I fixed five matches during the 2025 Indian Premier League [IPL] season by passing inside information about the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to bookies in London via Snapchat. I earned Rs 60 lakh per match, totaling Rs 3 crore for those five matches,” revealed former Ranji player Rachit Bhatia to a Tehelka undercover reporter.
“I also engaged in spot-fixing during the 2018-19 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, a tournament I played in. I deliberately bowled two wide balls, receiving Rs 8 lakh per ball from the bookies, making a total of Rs 16 lakh,” Rachit admitted to the reporter.
“Furthermore, I paid a bribe of Rs 15 lakh to secure my selection in the Nagaland Ranji Trophy team, making my Ranji debut during the 2018-19 season,” he said.
“If you want to fix matches in IPL 2026, we need to get my player onto the team. Once he is selected, both match-fixing and spot-fixing become possible. The rate for spot-fixing in the IPL will be Rs 1 crore per match. Sharing inside information regarding the playing XI before the toss will cost Rs 60 lakh per match. This same player will also compete in the Delhi Premier League [DPL] this year. The rate for spot-fixing and providing the playing XI there will be Rs 40 lakh per match,” Rachit told Tehelka.
“Presently, I work as a national selector and coach, forming a Delhi school cricket team from local students to compete in national school tournaments. I manage three age groups—Under-14, Under-17, and Under-19. Alongside two other selectors, I choose the Delhi team, and the rate for selecting a child is between Rs 7 and 8 lakh,” he disclosed our reporter.
Match-fixing is the darkest chapter in any sport, and it raises serious questions about the honesty and credibility of the players involved. In India, cricket is treated like a religion, where fans worship their favourite cricketers. Every Indian cricket fan is emotionally attached to the sport, which is the heartbeat for many. Unfortunately, there have been numerous incidents where Indian cricketers have faced allegations of match-fixing.
This Tehelka undercover operation caught Rachit Bhatia—a former Ranji player and a bookmaker—dealing with our reporter who posed as a fake bookie. Rachit guaranteed the reporter that he would provide inside information on the playing XI of the Central Delhi Kings for the 2026 Delhi Premier League [DPL] T20 matches, to be used for betting in exchange for Rs 40 lakh. Rachit told the reporter that he has a player, a friend of his, playing the 2026 DPL season for the Central Delhi Kings, who will provide him with the final playing XI hours before the official announcement after the toss, in exchange for money. Rachit Bhatia also claimed to be presently working as a national selector and coach, selecting players from Delhi’s schools to play in national school cricket tournaments representing Delhi state.
While we all know about match-fixing, where match results are compromised, spot-fixing involves a micro-event managed during play, such as a specific no-ball, wide, or a fixed number of runs in an over. However, Tehelka in its investigation has exposed a new type of fixing in cricket called “line-up leaks,” which, according to cricket experts, falls under match-fixing. This is where inside information on the playing XI of a particular team is given to bookies for betting ahead of the official disclosure in exchange for money. This gives bookmakers an illegal edge to set or manipulate cricket matches, violating the ICC Anti-Corruption Code regarding match-fixing and corrupt practices, even if no individual on-field delivery is compromised.
With the motive of exposing corruption in cricket, Tehelka met Rachit Bhatia, a former Ranji player, at the Dhaka Cricket Academy in North Delhi in December 2025. During the meeting, Rachit offered the Tehelka reporter an opportunity to fix matches in the 2026 IPL and DPL seasons. According to Rachit, if his player friend is selected for the Chennai Super Kings 2026 IPL team through the auction, Rachit will provide inside information on the final playing XI hours before the official disclosure. He would obtain this final eleven directly from his friend playing for Chennai Super Kings. Rachit added that after the IPL, the same operation would be carried out in the DPL, where this same player would be competing.
The Delhi Premier League T20 is a Twenty20 franchise cricket tournament held in Delhi, India. Organised by the Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA), it was first held in 2024.
Rachit claims he can provide highly accurate IPL and DPL playing XIs shortly before the toss, with two possible combinations depending on whether the team bats or bowls first. He says the DPL information is “confirmed,” while the IPL information depends partly on the outcome of the auction and whether his players make the squad.
The reporter agrees to pay per match—Rs 60 lakh for IPL and initially Rs 30 lakh, later Rs 40 lakh, for DPL. They negotiate the payment arrangement, settling on payment after the reporter receives and checks the playing XI, despite Rachit initially asking for immediate payment.
A significant part of the conversation is devoted to keeping the exchange away from conventional communication channels. Rachit insists on communicating through Snapchat, says there will be no phone or WhatsApp calls, and says he will send the teams shortly before the match. By the end, Rachit asks for cash payment and explicitly says he does not want to be “put in jail,” underscoring his awareness that the proposed arrangement is sensitive and could have serious consequences.
Rachit: Theek hai. Aur sunao phir.
Reporter: Bas badhiya. Ab Bata tu, kya keh raha tha?
Rachit: Main aapko yeh keh raha tha ki agar toh aapko wo chahiye — playing XI — Kuch hai kaam ki abhi bhi?
Reporter: Playing XI? Bilkul hai.
Rachit: Bilkul hai?
Reporter: Bilkul hai.
Rachit: Main aapko most probably 90 percent hai abhi. Aaj auction hai, ek to woh hone do. IPL ki kisi bhi team ki. Most probably Chennai Super Kings ki. Playing XI toss se dedh se do ghante pehle doonga.
Reporter: Confirmed?
Rachit: Confirmed. 200 percent.
Reporter: Har match ki?
Rachit: Har match ki. Auction ke baad bataunga IPL ki toh. DPL ki.
Reporter: 2026 ke IPL ki baat kar raha hai na?
Rachit: Jo abhi aane wale season hai, unhi ki baat kar raha hoon. Aur DPL ki 200 percent. Most probably Purani Delhi 6 ki team ki. Toss se ek se dedh ghanta pehle…
Reporter: DPL ki confirmed hai?
Rachit: DPL ki confirmed hai. Purani Delhi 6 ki team mein.
Reporter: Ok. Toh honge tere player kuch usmein?
Rachit: Theek hai.
Reporter: Badhiya.
Rachit: Toh ab aap yeh batao, aap kya karoge ismein? Kyunki player bhi mangega paisa?
Reporter: Denge sabko. Lekin paisa advance hoga ismein?
Rachit: Ismein paisa kya hoga…batata hoon aapko. Shuru ke do matches mein, aap mere ko on the spot (paise) pakdaoge. Jab main aapko team doonga, aap mujhko paisa doge. Uske baad advance. Ye XXXXX ji hain.
Reporter: Inke saamne baat ho jayegi?
Rachit: Nahi.
Reporter: Achha achha….acha! Ab batao payment kaise hoga?
Rachit: Ab aap mere ko batao per match IPL ka aur DPL ka, playing XI, kitna de sakte ho aap?
Reporter: Expectation bata?
Rachit: Aap pehle batao, phir main inka bataunga.
Reporter: IPL 60 Lakh
Rachit: Per match ka batao.
Reporter: IPL ka per match ka 60 lakh. Aur DPL maan le 30, 30 lakh per match….(for info about) playing XI.
Rachit: Playing XI hai na. Dekho..two playing XI doonga main aapko. Aajkal impact player wala tanta aa gaya. By chance toss mein pehle bowling aati hai uski playing XI alag hogi. By chance meri team ki toss ki pehle batting aati hai uski playing XI alag hogi.
Rachit (continues): Har team ki har match ki do playing XI hongi.
Reporter: Ok. Bilkul accurate hogi?
Rachit: Ek se bhi idhar udhar nahi hoga. Rare case. Zero point ek percent ka case ho sakta hai. Team announce ho jaati hai do ghante pehle. Bus mein har player ko pata chal jaata hai kaun khelne wala hai. 0.8 percent ka chance hota hai ki subah subah jo aadhe ghante ki drills hoti hain usmein banda kuch injured ho jaata hai. Phir on the spot last second change hota hai. Ye bahut rare chance hota hai. Phir bhi bata ke chal raha hoon….aisa ho sakta hai.
Reporter: Dekh, sun meri baat. Tune payment ka pucha tha. Payment mein ek ghante ka gap hoga.
Rachit: Matlab?
Reporter: Tu bol raha hai na on the spot main payment loonga. Tum jaise hum dono mile, isi academy mein mile….theek hai? Tu mujhe playing XI dega.
Rachit: Main aapko miloonga nahi us time par. Aapko snap chat download karaunga.
Reporter: Theek hai.
Rachit: Snap chat par miloonga. Snap chat encrypt nahi hai.
Reporter: Theek hai.
Rachit: Main aapko snap chat par miloonga.
Reporter: Theek hai.
Rachit: Main aapse match wale din miloonga nahi.
Reporter: IPL, DPL dono?
Rachit: Dono.
Reporter: Theek hai.
Rachit: Phone par baat nahi karenge.
Reporter: Theek hai.
Rachit: WhatsApp par call nahi hogi.
Reporter: Theek hai.
Ranchit: Sirf ek aapko message aayega meri taraf se snap chat par. Bowling aayi toh ye team, batting aayi toh ye team.
Reporter: Dono ki do do?
Rachit: Har team ki do team, ek team, matlab meri jo team hogi, uski main aapko do team bhej doonga. Bowling first yeh team, batting first yeh team. Toss hare, jeete, mera uska koi matlab nahi hai.
Reporter: Chennai Super Kings team ki bowling (first) ki alag hogi, batting (first) ki alag hogi?
Rachit: Alag hogi. Theek hai abhi toh IPL hai nahi hai, aaj auction hai. Mera jo player hai, aaj dekhte hain aaj auction mein kya hota hai. OK..theek hai? DPL ka do sau percent, DPL ki toh koi baat hi nahi hai.
Reporter: Dilli 6 ki?
Rachit: Purani Dilli 6.
Reporter: Purani Dilli 6. Matlab IPL mein yeh hai ki agar tera player nahi aaya, toh nahi hoga.
Rachit: Toh nahi ho payega.
Reporter: Yeh toh aaj hi pata lag jayega. Kab tak bata dega tu mujhe?
Rachit: 8 baje shaam ko.
Reporter: Theek hai. Aur DPL ka confirmed hai?
Rachit: DPL confirmed hai. Per match main 40 loonga DPL ka.
Reporter: 40 lakh…IPL theek hai?
Rachit: IPL theek hai.
Reporter: 60 (lakh) theek hai. Lekin ek ghante ka antar hoga.
Rachit: Haan. Matlab, aap kya keh rahe ho, main aapko team doonga, uske ek ghante baad, aap mere ko check karke payment doge.
Reporter: Haan, jab playing XI aa jayegi mere paas. Bhai tu mujhe dedh ghanta 2 ghanta pehle dega na. Theek hai. Toh check toh karna padega na mujhe.
Rachit: Theek hai….theek hai!
Reporter: Done.
Rachit: Payment cash karaoge? Cash hi karana.
Reporter: Cheque se, agar online lena chaho. Online le lena, mujhe kya matlab hai?
Rachit: Mujhe mujhe jail mat karwao! Aap cash karna.
[What begins as a discussion about cricket teams gradually turns into a detailed negotiation over the sale of supposedly privileged playing-XI information, including price, timing, communication and method of payment. The repeated emphasis on secrecy and unusual payment precautions underscored the sensitive nature of what was being offered.]
In the following dialogue, Rachit claims he will run a continuous match-fixing operation spanning three to four months. He assured the reporter that he was attempting to fix all Chennai Super Kings matches in the 2026 IPL and all the six Purani Dilli matches in the 2026 Delhi Premier League (DPL). He plans to do this by sharing insider information regarding the final playing XIs before the toss in exchange for money.
Rachit: Teen chaar mahine lagatar chalega….jo bhi chalega karnama! Theek hai? By chance, koi team nahi ho paata toh main aapko subah hi bata doonga ki aaj nahi ho payega. Bahut mushkil chances hain. Par saare main le ke chal raha hoon.
Reporter: Chennai Super Kings ke saare match le ke chal raha hai abhi?
Rachit: Main DPL ke saare match le ke chal raha hoon.
[This exchange exposes the unsettling reality of how easily personal greed can compromise the sanctity of sports. It serves as a stark reminder that the integrity of the games we celebrate ultimately rests on the basic honesty of the individuals who participate in them.]
Rachit Bhatia admitted to Tehelka’s undercover reporter that during the 2025 season, he fixed five Chennai Super Kings (CSK) IPL matches. He obtained inside information regarding the final playing XI hours before the official announcement and shared it with bookies for a price. Rachit stated he received this information prior to the toss from a friend who was a player on the CSK team. According to Rachit, he shared these details with bookies in London using Snapchat, earning Rs 60 lakh per match, which totalled Rs 3 crores for the five matches. When pressed about the Delhi Premier League (DPL), Rachit notes he did not fix it in 2025 but plans to target it next.
Reporter: Theek hai. Toh yeh isi saal se hua, ya pichhle saal bhi tha tera?
Rachit: Pichhle saal bhi tha.
Reporter: Toh bataya kyun nahi tune?
Rachit: Mere ko nahi yaad hain saab, mere se pucho mat aap.
Reporter: Pichle saal IPL mein tha? DPL me? Ya dono me tha?
Rachit: Pichhle saal IPL mein bhi tha.
Reporter: IPL mein bhi tha? Abey yaar, phone kar deta mere bhai. Kuch kamaya tune?
Rachit: Haan.
Reporter: Kitna?
Rachit: Badhiya kama gaya.
Reporter: Kitna?
Rachit: Itna hi, rate itna hi tha.
Reporter: Ek hi match kiya hai, bas?
Rachit: Nahi, maine bataya hai matches saat saath. Aapka mere ko dhyan se yaad hi nahi aaya bas, ab kya bataun aapko.
Reporter: Tujhe kya bataya tha usne pichhle saal?
Rachit: Playing XI.
Reporter: Aur isi saal.. 25 mein na?
Rachit: Pachchis mein.
Reporter: Playing XI batai thi?
Rachit: IPL ki, CSK ki.
Reporter: Kaun si team?
Rachit: Khud bhi lagaye the maine toh.
Reporter: Par tune toh jeet hi liya hoga, jab tere ko playing line maloom hai.
Rachit: Bahut jeeta hai.
Reporter: Kiski batai thi, CSK ki?
Rachit: CSK ki.
Reporter: Pakka? Kitne matches laga liye tune?
Rachit: Lagaye maine paanch hi the.
Reporter: Pachchis ke, do hazar pachchis ke. Paanch ka matlab ki…
Rachit: Pata paanch ke chale the mere ko.
Reporter: Kitna ho gaya? Teen crore ho gaya. Toh maine sahi bola crorepati ho gaya usko. Galat thodi bola. Saare sahi nikle?
Rachit: Saare sahi nikle.
Reporter: Aur di kisko information hai?
Rachit: Woh toh pata hi tha.
Reporter: Di kisko information hai?
Rachit: Bhai London mein rehte hain. Toh bhai ke friend hain ek … unko.
Reporter: Toh wahan se chal raha tha connection.
Rachit: Pagalpana hai.. Pagalpana hai wahan pe toh. Snapchat best hai.
Reporter: Snapchat se?
Rachit: Kuch bhi record nahi hai.
Reporter: Aur DPL ki abhi kiya tune, pachchis ka?
Rachit: DPL ka nahi kiya maine.
Reporter: Kyun?
Rachit: DPL ka is baar karunga main.
Reporter: Achha DPL mein nahi IPL mein tha. Aur chaubees wale IPL mein, usmein bhi nahin tha?
Rachit: Nahi, usme bhi nahi tha.
[This disclosure highlights how easily a single inside source can compromise the integrity of high-stakes sports. While tech platforms like Snapchat offer wrongdoers a false sense of digital anonymity, history shows that such secrecy is rarely permanent.]
When asked whether his player could participate in spot-fixing in the IPL and DPL, Rachit said he was unsure about the player’s place in the 2026 IPL but was certain that his player would carry out spot-fixing in the DPL. When asked whether his player, a batsman, could intentionally play slowly as part of a spot-fixing arrangement, Rachit said getting a player run out was in huge demand in the betting world and could fetch a large amount of money. He said his player could fix a spot in the DPL.
Reporter: Matlab pachchis se shuru hua..
Rachit: Pachchis se shuru hua.
Reporter: Badhiya yaar. Toh woh ladka.. kya umeed nahi hai is baar aayega?
Rachit: Dekho, DPL ki toh pakki hai. IPL ka abhi kuch pata nahi mere ko.
Reporter: Achha yeh bata, yeh toh ho gaya playing XI ka. Spot ho sakta hai?
Rachit: Kya karwa sakte, kya karwaoge? Kya karwaoge?
Reporter: Tera player bowler hai ya batsman hai?
Rachit: Batsman.
Reporter: Batsman hai? CSK mein, slow khelna hai.
Rachit: Kitna? IPL ki playing pata nahi mujhe hogi nahi hogi. DPL ki hogi. DPL me batao.
Reporter: Slow khel ja.
Rachit: Kitna slow?
Reporter: DPL wala tumhara kya batsman hai bowler hai?
Rachit- Batsman hai.
Reporter: Batsman hai? DPL wala bhi. Slow khel ja.
Rachit- Kitna slow khelna hai, yeh batao?
Reporter: Woh toh depend karta hai situation par. Us waqt match ki kya situation hogi, us par depend karega.
Rachit: Toh mujhe aap on the spot bataoge ki yeh chahta hoon main. Main aapse on the spot baat nahi kar paunga. Phones chale jaate hain. Bus se nikalte hi phones.
Reporter : Tere phone kyun chale jayenge?
Rachit: Mera nahi uska. Usko kaise information doonga main?
Reporter: Okay. Chaar din pehle? Do din pehle?
Rachit: Do din pehle? Usi din, usi raat ho sakta hai boss. Phone main kabhi bhi kar doonga usko. Bas subah ki dikkat hai. Match shuru hone ke do ghante pehle phone le liye jaate hain.
Reporter: Do ghante pehle na? Ek ghante pehle. Ek ghanta pehle na? Chaar ghante pehle?
Rachit: Chaar ghante pehle theek hai.
Reporter: Match se chaar ghante pehle?
Rachit: Bilkul theek.
Reporter: Theek. Lekin uska bhi payment jab hoga, jab spot ho jayega.
Rachit: Aap kya karwana chahte ho bas mujhe yeh baat batao. Kya karwana chahte ho bas mujhe yeh batao.
Reporter: Slow khel jaye agar batsman hai toh. Ab bowler hai.
Rachit: Slow chodo aur run out karwa doonga seedha.
Reporter: Hain?
Rachit: Seedha run out karwa doonga.
Reporter: Run out kara do.
Rachit: Ussey bada paisa hi nahi hai.
Reporter: Run out kara do. Run out mein zyada paisa hai?
Rachit: Run out se badi boli nahi hai abhi tak.
Reporter: Kya baat kar raha hai?
Rachit: Cricket wali duniya me.
Reporter: Kya baat kar rahe hain? Aisa kyun?
Rachit: Rare hai na rare, run out rare hai, hit wicket rare hai. Hit wicket kara doonga toh phans jayega wo. Run out toh karwa sakta hun.
Reporter: Hit wicket to bahut kam hota hai yaar. Run out toh aksar hota rehta hai kisi ko doubt nahi hoga.
Rachit: Nahi hoga.
Reporter: Hit wicket mein doubt ho jayega.
Rachit: Hit wicket mein doubt hoga. Hit wicket mein toh baith jayegi. Phir commission baith jayegi. Puchoonga use, kya pata wahi mana kar de ki ‘run out nahi hounga bhaiyya.’
Reporter: Hmmmm.
Rachit: Haina! Puchoonga usse kya kar sakta hai wo.
Reporter: Run out karwa de?
Rachit: Koshish poori karunga.
Reporter: DPL, IPL dono mein?
Rachit: IPL mein mushkil hai? DPL pakka?
Reporter: IPL mein spot mushkil hai?
Rachit: DPL pakka karwa dunga.
[The chat moves from fixing a slow innings to discussing a deliberate run-out, with Rachit calling it more lucrative and easier to hide. Significantly, the discussion explores how a specific on-field incident could be arranged and made to look natural. The exchange also shows how fixers plan around team selection, phone access and timing. The details reveal how carefully such manipulation can be arranged.]
As discussed regarding the playing XI, we told Rachit that payment for the spot-fixing would be made after the spot-fixing was carried out. In response, Rachit said that he would require some money in advance for spot-fixing. He said that the rate for spot-fixing in the DPL would be Rs 40 lakh, while the rate for spot-fixing in the IPL would be Rs 1 crore. We ‘accept’ the quoted figures, bringing the negotiation to a close.
Reporter: Lekin dono mein payment hoga.
Rachit: Baad mein keh rahe ho aap?
Reporter: Haan. Hone ke baad.. kaam hone ke baad.
Reporter: Dekho spot ka toh pehle dena padega aapko kuch. Kuch…not full.
Reporter: Maan lijiye spot ka 20 lakh hota hai hamara. Theek hai. Paanch pehle le lena.
Rachit: Aisa kar sakta hoon main. Theek hai.
Reporter: Lekin playing XI mein baad mein hoga.
Rachit: Playing XI baad mein karaoge na?
Reporter: Haan, ek dedh ghanta baad, dono IPL mein bhi, ismein bhi…DPL me bhi.
Rachit: Yeh mein aapko do match… theek hai aisa kar lo aap. Theek hai, playing XI theek hai, main kar loonga, adjust kar loonga. Spot mein adjust nahi kar paunga. Iska chahiye hoga pehle.
Reporter: Paanch de doonga,
Rachit: Paanch de dena. Spot, spot ke 20 lakh nahi, zyada honge.
Reporter: Spot ke bees lakh DPL ke.
Rachit: Zyada.
Reporter: Kitna?
Rachit: Chalis iska bhi.
Reporter: Chalis lakh spot ka bhi aur IPL ka spot ka?
Rachit: Ek crore.
Reporter: Ek crore… Theek hai, done.
[The chat has moved from a partial advance to negotiating payment for spot-fixing in the DPL and IPL. Rachit agrees to the terms and discusses when the money would be paid. The exchange shows how openly and systematically such deals can be negotiated.]
In the following chat, Rachit sets out separate rates for providing information about the playing XI before a match and for spot-fixing in the DPL and IPL tournaments. He quotes Rs 40 lakh per match for DPL playing-XI information and Rs 60 lakh per match for IPL playing-XI information. For spot-fixing, he quotes Rs 40 lakh per DPL match and Rs 1 crore per IPL match. When asked about the reliability of the spot-fixing arrangements, Rachit claims a 100 per cent guarantee for the DPL and 90 per cent for the IPL. He also confirms that DPL matches are broadcast live on Star Sports.
Rachit: Theek hai. Playing XI DPL ka 40 lakh loonga per match, IPL per match 60 lakh — playing XI ka, spot (fixing) DPL 40 lakh, IPL ek crore spot ka, theek hai?
Reporter: Guarantee kitni hai spot ki?
Rachit: DPL ki 100 percent; IPL ki 90 percent.
Reporter: DPL live aata hai?
Rachit: Live aata hai. Star Sports.
[As is obvious from the exchange above, the discussion now comes down to brass tacks, with Rachit spelling out the rates for playing XI selection and spot-fixing in both leagues. His stated “guarantees” and reference to the live broadcast suggest that the discussion concerned arrangements linked to actual matches and their visibility to viewers.]
After a few days, Rachit Bhatia confirmed to Tehelka that his player, through whom he was obtaining inside information about his team for fixing in the IPL or DPL, would not be selected for the 2026 IPL season because of an injury. According to Rachit, this effectively ruled out a match fixing opportunity for them in the IPL, either through inside information or spot-fixing. Rachit therefore shifted his focus to the DPL, whose third season began on July 31, 2026.
When we first met Rachit in December 2025, he had told us that he would provide inside information about the playing XI of the Purani Dilli 6 team in the DPL. However, a few months later, when the DPL began on July 31, 2026, Rachit changed his plans and told us that he would instead provide inside information about the playing XI of the Central Delhi Kings for betting, rather than the Purani Dilli 6 team as promised earlier.
So, a few days before the DPL 2026 season began, Rachit met us for the second time at Hotel Shangri-La. During the meeting, he told us about the player through whom he had been fixing IPL 2025 matches and was now fixing DPL matches by obtaining inside information about the playing XI before the toss for betting purposes.
Without naming the player, Rachit described him as an exceptionally good 23-year-old player, who plays Ranji cricket for Delhi. Rachit said that the player had been playing cricket with him since the player was 18 and Rachit was 23. Rachit is now 28, while the player is 23. According to Rachit, the player had made a substantial amount of money through fixing by the age of 23. He said the player had built a good house for himself in Saket, South Delhi.
Rachit further said that he was paying the player for providing inside information about IPL and DPL matches for betting. He also told us that the player’s family knew that he was making money through illegal means but apparently had no objection to it.
Reporter: Player acchha hai, bada hai?
Rachit: Bahut badhiya.. isse badhiya player Dilli mein nahi, main aapko bata doon.
Reporter: Dilli se hi hai?
Rachit: Dilli….
Reporter: Ranji kahan se khel raha hai?
Rachit: Dilli.
Reporter: Dilli Ranji mein…. India khelega ki nahi, umeed hai?
Rachit: Abhi nahi.
Reporter: Isko koi matlab farq hi nahi padega agar India khele, na khele, paisa to bana hi raha hai.
Rachit: Kya farq padega….
Reporter: Paisa to bana hi raha hai.
Rachit: Paisa to bana hi liya….
Reporter: …Kitna bana liya hoga?
Rachit: Bahut tagda bana liya hoga, lagbhag do saal mein kahan pahunch gaya, ghar bana liya sa*** ne Saket mein, ….aur kahan rehta tha, an.. XXXXX mein rehta tha.
Reporter: Ye kahan par hai?
Rachit: Model Town ke paas, two BHK mein rehta tha. ..Kothi khadi kar di Saket mein.
Reporter: Iske ghar walon ko pata nahi chalta kahan se paisa aa raha hai?
Rachit: Pata hai sabko….
Reporter: Maloom hai sab?
Rachit: Kisko kya bura lag raha hai?
Reporter: Married hai, shaadi ho gayi?
Rachit: Nahi, unmarried. …Bachcha hai….
Reporter: Achha!
Rachit: 23 saal ka. Mere ko bahut pehle se jaanta hai.
Reporter: Tune kaise pata liya?
Rachit: Mere saath match khelta tha, jab 18 saal ka tha, mere…hamare saath match khelta tha.
Reporter: Difference kitna hai tumhara, tum dono mein?
Rachit: Paanch saal ka, main paanch saal bada hoon.
Reporter: Matlab tu 28 hai?
Rachit: Main 28 hoon. …Ye saari story hai.
[The chat reveals a young player who, Rachit claims, has made substantial money through questionable means. The player’s family is apparently aware of the source of his money, according to Rachit. While his rapid rise in wealth raises serious questions about its source, the exchange shows how such gains can become normalised.]
During the hotel Shangri-La meeting, Rachit also told us that a player from the Central Delhi Kings team in the DPL had given him code words, represented by emojis, to identify the players. Thus, when the player tells Rachit which members of the Central Delhi Kings are in the playing XI, he would not name them directly, but use the emoji assigned to each player. For example, one emoji would correspond to one player and another emoji to another player, said Rachit. Rachit says that every player has a designated emoji and that both he and the player possess the corresponding list. When the reporter asks to be sent the list, Rachit says he would instead provide the names directly to the reporter.
Rachit: Wo mujhko emoji ke through naam bataayega.
Reporter: Matlab samjha nahin main?
Rachit: For example, …main usko baat karoonga WhatsApp par…
Reporter: Theek hai…
Rachit: Snap pe, Insta pe, kahin pe bhi, ..hi bro kya haal hai? Wo bolega badhiya bhaiya, aage bana dega king…that means Yash khel raha hai.
Reporter: O.K..
Rachit: Ye emoji ke through mere ko team dega.
Reporter: Har khiladi ka emoji hai?
Rachit: Har khiladi ka emoji hai. …ye list uske paas bhi hai, mere paas bhi hai.
Reporter: Mujhe bhi bhej dena.
Rachit: Aapko to main naam bataunga na!
Reporter: Haan, mujhe to naam bataayega.
Rachit: Aapko to naam bataunga.
[The chat reveals a coded system for sharing the playing XI without naming players directly. Rachit’s insistence that the reporter would receive the names directly also suggests that the coded system was meant for communication between Rachit and the player. The exchange shows how secrecy is built into the flow of information.]
In the conversation, Rachit says he can provide the Central Delhi Kings’ playing XI for the July 31 DPL match on July 30, a day before the game. He says his source (team player) is 99 per cent certain of the team, while any last-minute change would be communicated closer to the toss. The reporter presses for the information at least three hours before the toss, and Rachit eventually agrees, saying he will speak to his source again. They also discuss how the information will be shared, with Rachit suggesting Snapchat, WhatsApp or an in-person meeting at Model Town. The discussion then turns to payment, with the reporter making clear that payment will be made only after the final playing XI is confirmed, and Rachit says he has already conveyed this arrangement to his source.
Reporter: To ab ye 31 wale match ki ek din pehle mil jaayegi?
Rachit: Ek din pehle….30 ko de doonga.
Reporter: 30 ko de doge aap?
Rachit: Ab aisa rahega, mere ko bol rahe hain, ismein actual banta aise hai,.. playing mein, wo keh raha hai meri taraf se 99 percent wahi team hogi, jo main aapko bataoonga. By chance ek percent change aayega, to toss ke aadhe ghante pehle bata doonga. ..Chalega aapko?
Reporter: Aadha ghanta to kam hai.
Rachit: Ek ghanta?
Reporter: Teen ghanta, teen.
Rachit: Toss ke teen ghante pehle aapko team change ka information chahiye?, but wicket pe dekhta hai uska player.
Reporter: Yaar dekho….
Rachit: Dekho, wicket to wahi khelte hain. Ye to main aapko ek percent bata raha hoon.
Reporter: Yaar dekho Bengal, Bengal Premier League mein….
Rachit: Uska to aap bhool hi jao.
Reporter: Do baar aapne information di, dono baar bekaar nikli.
Rachit: Wo to aap bhool hi jao.
Reporter: IPL 26 ka bhi nahi hua.
Rachit: IPL 26 mein player hi nahi tha na!.. IPL 27 mein….
Reporter: Ismein dekho kam se kam teen ghanta chahiye.
Rachit: Main aapko har team chaar, paanch, chhah, saat ghante pehle de raha hoon.
Reporter: Toss se pehle?
Rachit: Haan, wo 99 percent wahi hogi.
Reporter: Official announcement se pehle?
Rachit: Haan, haan. Bilkul, TV par flash hone se….
Reporter: 99 percent. sa*** kai baar jo hai ek percent uspe haavi ho jaata hai.
Rachit: Ek percent bhi ho jaata hai, jo wicket ko coach dekh le, us waqt change karne ka soch leta hai.
Reporter: To phir kaise hoga?
Rachit: To phir wahi main keh raha hoon, ek ghante pehle agar hum,.. dekho wo aap keh rahe ho, nahi chalegi….
Reporter: Ek ghanta pehle?
Rachit: Ek ghanta pehle nahi chalegi ..?
Reporter: Na, na.
Rachit: Theek hai, main baat karta hoon phir….
Reporter: Kam se kam teen ghanta pehle.
Rachit: Minimum?
Reporter: Minimum.
Rachit: Theek hai.
Reporter: 31 ki 30 ko mil jaayegi?
Rachit: 31 ki 30 ko de doonga.
Reporter: Aaj kya date hai? 27 July 2026, Somvaar hai, Monday. Matlab Thursday ko tum de doge?
Rachit: De doonga.
Reporter: Thursday ki 30 July hai, 2026… to Thursday ko aap mujhe kaise doge?
Rachit: Snapchat pe.
Reporter: Ye download karna padega phir.
Rachit: Kar lo.
Reporter: Main aa jaaun, jahan tum ho? Aisa kar lo.
Rachit: Instagram par ho?
Reporter: Na, main nahi hoon…. Main aa jaaunga, jahan tum ho.
Rachit: WhatsApp call kar lena.
Reporter: Main wahan aa jaaun, jahan tum ho?
Rachit: Firstly, kahan aaoge?
Reporter: Mujhe koi location….
Rachit: Bahut door padega.
Reporter: Kahan par hai?
Rachit: Shalimar Bagh padega, ya to Model Town aaoge?
Reporter: Tumhari jo academy hai na?
Rachit: Model Town….
Reporter: Wahan aa jaaunga.
Rachit: Theek hai.
Reporter: Wahan aa jaaunga.
Rachit: Wahan aa jao.
Reporter: Koi issue nahi hai.
Rachit: Aapke upar hai, aa jao.
Reporter: Main 30 tareekh ko aa jaata hoon.
Rachit: Aa jao.
Reporter: Kitne baje, time bata dijiye mujhe.
Rachit: Time bata doonga.
Reporter: Wahin mujhe playing XI bata diyo.
Rachit: Theek hai.
Reporter: Lekin payment hum jab karenge, jab playing XI…
Rachit: Pass hogi!
Reporter: Final ho jaayega.
Rachit: Wo baat ho gayi….
Reporter: Wo hamari-tumhari pehle hi baat ho gayi.
Rachit: Wo maine baat usse kari hai.
Reporter: Matlab you are to wait at least for three hours…?
Rachit: Ji!
Reporter: Teen ghante tumhein wait karna padega payment ke liye.
Rachit: Main kar loonga, wo maine use bataya hua hai.
Reporter: For example aaj 27 July hai, tumne abhi mujhe 3 baje, 3:30 baje playing XI de diya, 7 baje se match hai, to payment aapko jab milega, payment aapko milega, payment aapko milega 10 baje.
Rachit: Theek hai.
Reporter: Raat ko 10 baje.
Rachit: Wo maine usko bola hua hai, main usko chhah ghante bola hua hai.
Reporter: Chhah ghante ke baad payment milegi?
Rachit: Aap mere ko teen ghante mein de doge?
Reporter: Haan.
Rachit: Main usko chhah ghante mein doonga.
Reporter: Hum jab poori final eleven dekh lenge, toss ho jaayega, final eleven announce ho jaayegi, uske baad hum payment karenge.
Rachit: Bilkul, wo maine baat kar li….
Reporter: Usmein zara bhi change hua to payment nahi hoga.
Rachit: Maine baat saari bata di. A to Z baat kari maine.
Reporter: Amount?
Rachit: Forty (40).
Reporter: Thirty five (35) ki baat hui thi hamari.
Rachit: Nahi yaar, Jain sahab….
Reporter: Thirty five ki baat hui thi.
Rachit: Bilkul Jain sahab….
Reporter: Aur abhi DPL ka hype nahi hai itna.
Rachit: Jain sahab, bahut hype hai.
Reporter: Kahan hype hai? …Ek poster, hoarding nahi dekhi maine.
Rachit: DPL?
Reporter: Haan.
Rachit: Oh! Ch.. ch.. ch.. kya bataun main aapko….
Reporter: Title sponsor kaun hai iska?
Rachit: XXX.
Reporter: Is baar bhi, 2026 mein bhi?
Rachit: Haan. ..Teen saal ka contract hai unka.
Reporter: Aur ye DDCA ka tournament hai na!
Rachit: DDCA ka hai.
Reporter: Aur iska president kaun hai DDCA ka?
Rachit: An…..
Reporter: XXX?
Rachit: XXX.
Reporter: XXX ka beta!
Rachit: XXX ka beta.
Reporter: Abhi bhi wohi hai?
Rachit: Wahi hai, ..wahi hai. …DPL IPL ke baad aata hai, as a tournament.
Reporter: Are, kya baat kar rahe ho!
Rachit: Dikhaun aapko?
Rachit: Ek thirty first ko… maine aapko link bheja hai.
Reporter: Uske baad?
Rachit: Ek thirty first ko hai, ek do tareekh ko hai.
Reporter: 2 August…?
Rachit: August….
Reporter: 2026?
Rachit: 2026….
Reporter: Theek hai.
Rachit: Ek agle din hi hai, teen August ko.
Reporter: Theek hai.
Rachit: Phir 5, 8, 9, 11, 16, 18, 20.…
[Later in the conversation, Rachit and the reporter briefly discusses the DPL’s profile, its title sponsorship and the DDCA’s administration before Rachit refers to the tournament schedule. The discussion then returns to the practical arrangements for receiving the playing-XI information and settling the payment after the team is confirmed.]
In the conversation below, Rachit says that spot-fixing may be possible in Central Delhi Kings matches scheduled for August 16, 18 and 20. The reporter wanted clarification if the matches in question are those involving Central Delhi Kings, and Rachit confirms this. When asked what could be done as part of the spot-fixing, Rachit says he would try to arrange something and specifically mentions attempting a run-out. The reporter then asks Rachit to explain how such a run-out would be carried out.
Reporter: Ismein spot kismein ho sakta hai?
Rachit: Ismein 16, 18, 20 mein sambhaavna hai ki hoga.
Reporter: 16 August, 18 August aur 20 August ko jo matches honge, wo Central Delhi King ke?
Rachit: Central Delhi King ke.
Reporter: Usmein…!
Rachit: Haan, usmein ho sakta hai, mere ko….
Reporter: Tumhara, tumhara hi banda spot kar sakta hai. ..Spot mein kya hoga?
Rachit: Kuch to karaunga, …koshish, …koshish karaunga run out ki. Usko boloonga.
Reporter: Run out?
Rachit: (Nods in agreement) Koshish karoonga.
Reporter: Run out matlab kaise?
[The exchange indicates that Rachit was discussing the possibility of influencing specific incidents during upcoming Central Delhi Kings matches. His reference to trying to engineer a run-out moves the conversation from a general discussion of spot-fixing towards a particular on-field event. The chat shows how match fixing can be planned through insiders.]
Rachit met us at the Shangri-La Hotel on July 27, 2026, to discuss how and when he would provide us with the playing XI of the Central Delhi Kings before the toss for betting purposes. On the match day, July 31, Rachit called the Tehelka reporter several hours before the match and provided the list of the playing XI for Central Delhi Kings, who were playing West Delhi Lions. However, the list he provided was incorrect when compared with the final playing XI announced after the toss. Rachit subsequently called and apologised, saying that, according to him, there had been a last-minute change in the playing XI. He then promised to provide the final playing XI for Central Delhi Kings’ next match for betting purposes.
Central Delhi Kings’ next match was on August 2 against Purani Dilli 6. On the match day, several hours before the official announcement of the final playing XI, Rachit again called us and narrated the playing XI for betting purposes. However, just before the toss, he called again and said that his player in the team had informed him that the playing XI he had given to Tehelka’s undercover reporter should be cancelled, as there had again been a last-minute change in the Central Delhi Kings team because of the rain in Delhi. Thus, Rachit’s information in both matches missed the target.
Then came what we regarded as the black day of Indian cricket—August 3, 2026—the day Central Delhi Kings played North Delhi Strikers. The match was scheduled to begin at 7 pm at Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi. At around 6 pm, approximately an hour before the official announcement of the playing XI, Rachit called Tehelka’s reporter and provided what he said was the final playing XI of Central Delhi Kings for betting purposes. After negotiations, the deal was finalised at Rs 3 lakh, instead of the Rs 40 lakh initially sought by Rachit.
This time, the playing XI provided by Rachit matched the final playing XI officially announced after the toss. Rachit also sent us screenshots from Star Sports and other sports websites, apparently to confirm that the playing XI he had provided matched the officially announced team. Central Delhi Kings won the toss and opted to field, and the playing XI was identical to the one Rachit had provided approximately an hour before the official announcement.
After this, Rachit began demanding the agreed Rs 3 lakh. We did not pay him, telling him that we would pay the full amount in one go after his player carried out spot-fixing in a match, as had been discussed. Rachit refused this arrangement and insisted on receiving Rs 3 lakh first for the successful disclosure before moving on to the proposed spot-fixing arrangement.
Rachit Bhatia had also provided us with two teams—one for batting first and another for bowling first. This was explained in the context of the Impact Player rule, under which a player can be replaced according to the requirements of the match. In this instance, Central Delhi Kings won the toss and opted to field, and the playing XI they fielded matched exactly with the team Rachit had disclosed to us about an hour before the official announcement.
In the following conversation, Rachit speaks to the reporter shortly before the Central Delhi Kings–North Delhi match on August 3, 2026, and provides what he says is the team’s playing XI before the toss. He gives the names of the eleven players for the batting-first scenario and then identifies a change if Central Delhi Kings bowl first, replacing Vansh Bedi with Gavnish Khurana. He confirms that the information is being provided roughly an hour to an hour-and-a-half before the toss and agrees to send a screenshot of the officially announced eleven after the toss. The conversation also refers to payment of Rs 3 lakh if the information proves successful and to an earlier discussion concerning spot-fixing. Rachit further says he will provide the playing XIs for Central Delhi Kings’ subsequent matches and indicates that he will discuss the possibility of spot-fixing with his contact.
Rachit : Hello!
Reporter : Rachit bhai!
Rachit : Haan ji, Jain sahab !
Reporter : Are late nahin ho gaya?
Rachit : Nahin nahin, abhi kahan?
Reporter: Bhai 6:00 baj rahe hain, 6:30 baje to toss hi ho jayega, final eleven aa jayegi.
Rachit : 7:00 baje toss hona hai, 6:00 baje kisne bola hai aapko, 6:30….?
Reporter : Haan to…।
Rachit : Abhi to wo bus se nikla hai just, 6:30 baje toss kahan ho jayega?
Reporter: To match kitne baje shuru hoga?
Rachit : 7:15 – 7:30 shuru hona hai match to.
Reporter : Achha, toss jo hai 7:00 baje hoga?
Rachit : Toss most probabily 6:45 ya 7 ke beech mein hona hai.
Reporter : To mujhe laga ki 6:30 baje toss hona hai.
Rachit : Nahin, nahin, nahin, nahin….
Reporter : Achha, …batao, aaj 3 August hai…
Rachit : Haan ji!
Reporter : 2026…kis-kis…?
Rachit : Aaj 3 August hai…
Reporter : Kis-kis ka match hai?
Rachit : 2026..
Reporter : Kis-kis ka match hai?
Rachit : Aaj hai … Central Delhi versus North Delhi.
Reporter : Central Delhi versus…?
Rachit : North Delhi.
Reporter : North Delhi, Firoz Shah Kotla, Delhi?
Rachit : Haan ji.
Reporter : DPL 2026?
Rachit : Haan ji!
Reporter : Haan, bataiye, team batao, ….?
Rachit : Batting first..batting first, agar pehle batting aati hai…
Reporter : Central Delhi Kings ki?
Rachit : To Yash… Central Delhi Kings ki…
Reporter : Haan, batao phir?
Rachit : To..Yash Dhull, Siddharth Joon, kal likha hoga aapne, main aapko bas naam padh raha hoon.
Reporter : Ek second… Yash Dhull?
Rachit : Siddharth Joon.
Reporter : Likh leta hoon main ek baar, Siddharth Joon…
Rachit : Haan, likh lo, likh lo… Yugal Saini.
Reporter : Yugal?
Rachit : Yugal Saini.
Reporter : YUGAL?
Rachit : Haan ji.
Reporter : Yugal Saini.
Rachit : Jonty Sidhu.
Reporter : Chautha hai Jonty Sidhu.
Rachit : Aditya Bhandari.
Reporter : Paanchva hai Aditya Bhandari.
Rachit : Vansh Bedi.
Reporter : Ek second sir….chhatha hai Vansh Bedi.
Rachit : Keshav Dabas.
Reporter : Saatvan hai Keshav Dabas.
Rachit : ..Jasvir Sahrawat.
Reporter : Aathvan hai Jasvir?
Rachit : Sehrawat.
Reporter: Sehrawat?
Rachit : An haan.
Reporter : Sehrawat?
Rachit : Money Grewal.
Reporter : Money…?
Rachit : Money.
Reporter : Money Grewal ho gaya
Rachit : Kuldip Yadav dasvan.
Reporter : Dasvan hai Kuldip Yadav.
Rachit : Gyarahvan hai Tejas Baroka.
Reporter : Gyarahvan hai Tejas…?
Rachit : Baroka.
Reporter: Baroka, Baroka?
Rachit: BAROKA.
Reporter : Achha, ye ho gaye gyarah player Central Delhi Kings ke?
Rachit : Kings ke.
Reporter : DPL 2026 ke?
Rachit : Haan…
Reporter : Aur…
Rachit : Batting first…
Reporter : Aur aaj 3 August ko match hai Central Delhi versus North Delhi.
Rachit : Ji..
Reporter : Batting first ho gayi haan, bowling first agar hoti hai, to?
Rachit : Bowling first mein Vansh Bedi baahar hain.
Reporter : Bowling first mein Vansh Bedi out…।
Rachit : Bedi baahar hain, Gavnish Khurana in. Usne mujhe kaha tha ki bhaiya Gavnish aur Arun mein koi aayega. Maine kaha bhai ek bata?
Reporter : Hoon.
Rachit : To usne kaha 99 percent Gavnish khel raha hai, bowling first mein. Batting first mein 100 percent wahi team hai.
Reporter : Vansh Bedi out hai aur in kaun hai?
Rachit : in…Gavnish.
Reporter : GAV…?
Rachit : GAVNISH.
Reporter : Khurana, KHURANA?
Rachit : Haan ji, Gavnish Khurana.
Reporter : Theek hai sir!
Rachit : OK ji.
Reporter :Aur… match kitne baje shuru hoga?
Rachit : Match shuru hoga sawa saat, saadhe saat tak.
Reporter : Matlab aapne lagbhag dedh ghanta pehle humein playing XI bata di.
Rachit : Haan ji…
Reporter : Match shuru hone se pehle?
Rachit : Haan ji, haan ji, haan ji..
Reporter : Final playing XI aayegi toss ke baad?
Rachit : Toss ke baad, haan.
Reporter : To toss ke baad screen shot jo final eleven hogi, vo aap mujhe bhej dena.
Rachit : Haan, haan, clear ho jaayegi, main aapko screen shot bhej doonga.
Reporter : Agar match hoti hai, to hum aapko teen lakh rupaye denge, fixing karenge.
Rachit : Theek hai.
Reporter : Aur nahin hua, to nahin hoga kuch bhi.
Rachit : Haan ji.. haan ji, theek hai.
Reporter : Vaise abhi tak do match kharaab ho gaye..hue, hue hain ya teen match?
Rachit : 2 match kharaab….do match kharaab hue hain, nahin ek hi match hua hai kharaab, doosra to mana kar diya maine.
Reporter : 31 July ka match kharaab hua, playing XI galat nikli…
Rachit : Haan ji..
Reporter : Aur…
Rachit : Haan ji.
Reporter : Kal vaale match mein baarish ho gayi, aapne mana kar diya tha, aaj 3 August hai…
Rachit : Haan ji, ji!
Reporter : Aaj dekhte hain kya hota hai, aur…
Rachit : Theek hai sahab!
Reporter : Spot ki kya kah raha hai vo?
Rachit : Mana kar raha uske baare mein, kah raha hai abhi ruk jao, abhi kah raha hai thoda ruk jao….
Reporter : Abhi…
Rachit : Baat karunga usse.
Reporter : Abhi to tournament DPL koi bahut bada to tournament hai nahin, ded..do mahine vaala to hai nahin.
Rachit : Vahi baat hai. Ab isi match, is match ke liye kar raha tha basically?
Reporter : Kya?
Rachit : Ki is match ke liye ruk jao, baat karoonga aapse…
Reporter : Achchha.
Rachit : Maine kaha theek hai bhai!
Reporter : Achchha.
Rachit : Ji.
Reporter : Aur agar maan lo, in case aaj ke match ki bhi galat nikalti hai, playing XI…?
Rachit : Haan..
Reporter : Phir?
Rachit : Arey haan…, are Jain Sahab shubh-shubh bola karo aap..han,han.han…!
Reporter : Are bhai sahab pichhle jo experience hain na, vo kharaab ho gaye hain aapke saath…
Rachit : Main samajh sakta hoon aapki baat …
Reporter : Aur doosra mujhe…
Rachit : To…
Reporter : Doosra mujhe ye…
Rachit : Agar by chance kharaab hota hai, phir to main usse yahi baat karoonga, ki tu yahi kar bhai, tu yah rahne hi de…
Reporter : Kya, spot?
Rachit : Haan, main usi ki baat karoonga phir usse…
Reporter : Haan, spot kara lena, aur 5 taarikh ka bhi match hai…
Rachit : Ji.
Reporter : Parson bhi hai, Central Delhi Kings ka…
Rachit : Haan, match to.., iske baad to saat match hain abhi to…
Reporter : To saaton matchon mein ho sakta hai, Central Delhi Kings ke?
Rachit : Vahi baat karoonga isse, agar aaj ki nahin karti paas, to ye boloonga ki bhai tu ye chhod de, vahi karva.
Reporter : Nahin, main yah kah raha hoon ki Central Delhi Kings ke jo saat match honge DPL 26 mein…
Rachit : An haan.
Reporter : Un saaton matchon mein fixing ho sakti hai, ye main poochh raha hoon?
Rachit : Vahi baat kari na maine abhi.
Reporter : Aapne pehle to bola tha, saaton matchon mein ho jaayegi, kara lo.
Rachit : Matlab, spot kah rahe ho aap?
Reporter : Spot nahin kah vaa hoon, playing XI…।
Rachit : Haan, vo to hoyegi-hoyegi Jain sahab, vo kya baat kar rahe ho aap, vo main doonga hi aapko.
Reporter : Main kah raha hoon saaton matchon mein playing XI ho jaayegi fixing?
Rachit : Bilkul bilkul bilkul bilkul!
Reporter : Theek hai, usmein…
Rachit : Hundred percent.
Reporter : Ji?
Rachit : Bilkul doonga, saaton ki, saaton ki doonga.
Reporter : Spot ek aad mey hoga?
Rachit : Haan, vo main baat kar loonga.
Reporter : Theek hai bhai, mujhe bata dena, aur …
Rachit : Ji.
Reporter : Toss ke baad jo playing XI hogi, vo mujhe bata dena, bhej dena aap..
Rachit : Bilkul Jain sahab! Bilkul..
Reporter : Screen shot bhej dena.
Rachit : Theek hai.
Reporter : To abhi to ek ghanta hai na toss hone mein bhi?
Rachit : Abhi ghanta hai shayad….haan.
Reporter : Theek hai, OK, OK Rachit bhai, OK… Bye!
[This chat suggests Rachit had access to Central Delhi Kings’ playing XI well before the official toss announcement. He also promises to share the final team sheet after the toss and discusses payment if the information is accurate. The exchange raises serious questions about insider access and how such information could be used for betting or spot-fixing.]
This is not the first time that Rachit Bhatia has been involved in fixing, acting as an intermediary between a player of the Central Delhi Kings team in the DPL and Tehelka’s undercover reporter posing as a fake bookie. Rachit has also admitted to being involved in spot-fixing in the past. By his own confession, he bowled two wide balls in the 2018-19 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy season. According to Rachit, he received Rs 8 lakh for each wide ball, a total of Rs 16 lakh, from a bookie. The video footage of Rachit bowling one wide ball in one match is in Tehelka’s possession.
In the following chat, Rachit Bhatia openly admits to spot fixing in two matches in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy tournament. He says he deliberately bowled a wide in each match. He further reveals that he was paid Rs 8 lakh for each wide. The matches were broadcast live on Star Sports.
Reporter: Tum 18 wala season khele the ya 19 wala?
Rachit: 18, 19 dono.
Reporter: 18, 19 dono? Tune fixing bhi kari thi.?
Rachit: Haan. Wide daali thi.
Reporter: Wide daali thi.
Rachit: 2.
Reporter: 2, Mushtaq (Mushtaq Ali Trophy tournament) mein. 2-2 matches mein?
Rachit: 2 matches mein. Ek Andhra ke against, ek… ek toh Andhra against daali thi aur ek daali thi uske against….Meghalaya.
Reporter: Meghalaya ke against. Nagaland ki taraf se. Kitna mila wide ka, dono mein wide daali thi?
Rachit: Dono mein wide daali thi.
Reporter: Kitna mila?
Rachit: 8-8 lakh.
Reporter: 8-8 lakh? Live aa raha tha match jab?
Rachit: Live aa raha tha. Star Sports par.
Reporter: Yeh kab ki baat hai Mushtaq mein jab…
Rachit: 19.
Reporter: 19 mein hi kari thi. 19 mein Ranji khela tha?
Rachit: 19 mein.. 18 mein Ranji khel gaya tha.
Reporter : 18 mein Ranji hui thi. 19 mein start hui thi.
Reporter: Achha, 19 mein. Do hi saal khele ho na phir tum?
Rachit: Haan.
[Rachit’s candid replies leave little ambiguity about what happened. The exchange shows how easily spot-fixing can turn a single bowling delivery into a lucrative deal. The lesson is simple: where big money meets weak safeguards, the game can be compromised.]
One revelation after another. Rachit Bhatia now tells Tehelka how he paid Rs 15 lakh as a bribe to secure his selection in Nagaland’s Ranji Trophy team for the 2018-19 season. Anita, who accompanied the Tehelka reporter posing as a prospective client seeking Rachit’s help in getting her child selected for a Delhi school cricket team, also joins the exchange. Rachit said the payment was for playing only two four-day matches. However, after performing well, he went on to play six Ranji matches and three matches in the Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
Reporter: Yeh khele the Nagaland se.
Anita: Ok.
Reporter: Mere khayal se 20 lakh diya tha tune?
Rachit: Maine diya tha 15 (lakh).
Reporter: 15 lakh selection ka?
Rachit: Selection ka.
Reporter: Nagaland mein. Aur yeh kab ki baat hai? 18 (2018) ki baat hai?
Rachit: 19, 18-18.
Reporter : 18 ki baat hai.
Rachit: 18 ko toh Ranji trophy hui thi.
Anita: Bina iske kaam nahi chalta?
Rachit: Bina iske toh madam story hi nahi hai, kahani hi nahi hai.
Anita: Achha?
Reporter: Kya nahi hai? Chori?
Rachit: Story hi nahi hai.
Reporter: Achha, story.
Rachit: Iske bina toh kuch nahi hai.
Anita: Possible nahi hai?
Rachit: Possible hi nahi hai. Matlab yahan tak bhi banda pahunch nahi paata…paisa bhi duniya ke paas pade hain dene ke liye. Par baatcheet kisi ki wahan tak pahunch hi nahi paati.
Reporter: Tab toh crorepati ban gaya hoga tu do saal mein?
Rachit: Aap rehne do din. Jo humne diya woh nikalna bhi hota hai.
Reporter: Par tu bees lakh hi toh.. pandrah hi toh diye hain. Yeh toh aaram se nikal gaya hoga.
Rachit: Ye toh match fees mein hi aa gaye the khair.
Reporter: Tera toh nikal gaya hoga tab ka.
Rachit: Mera nikal gaya. 6 match khel liye the na. Waise baat do match ki hui thi.
Reporter: Achha 15 lakh me do match.?
Rachit: Do match ki baat hui thi.
Reporter: Ranji? Four day?
Rachit: Four day, woh toh kehte hain agar perform karoge toh milte rahenge. Perform karte rahe, milte rahe — 6.
Reporter: Do khel liya tha tu?
Rachit: 6.
Reporter: Achha 6 khele the?
Rachit: Mushtaq (Mushtaq Ali Trophy) se 3 khele the.
[Rachit’s remarks point to a system where money can become the price of entry into domestic cricket. The exchange shows how such payments can be treated as normal. The lesson is clear: talent alone may not always be enough when access has a price.]
In this exchange, Anita, posing as a prospective client seeking to get her son selected for a Delhi school cricket team, questions Rachit about the cost and certainty of selection. Rachit reveals that he serves as a national selector-cum-coach for selecting Under-14, Under-17 and Under-19 cricket teams of Delhi schools for national school tournaments. He claims he can influence the selection of schoolchildren, putting the price at Rs 7-8 lakh for a child who can play well. For Rs 10 lakh, he says the child’s selection and participation in all matches are guaranteed. He also says the selection is in his hands because he is the coach and travels with the children.
Rachit: Acha. Toh mam dekho aisa rahega agar player achha hai toh kam se kam, 7 se 8 lakh ka kharcha aayega.
Anita: 7 se 8 lakh? Agar khelna aata hai.
Rachit: khelna aata hai to.
Reporter: khelna aata hai to.
Rachit: Nahi khelna aata to story hi alag hai
Anita: Haan.
Rachit: Agar bilkul hi acchha na ho toh main select bhi nahi kar paunga.
Anita: Nahi, khelna toh aata hai.
Rachit: Khelna aata hai toh main usse bhi kam kam mein koshish kar loonga. Agar achha khel raha hai.
Reporter: Nineteen ka ho gaya? Ab kiska chalna hai?
Rachit: Fourteen, seventeen ka shuru hai.
Reporter: Hona hai?
Rachit: Mere ko naam bata do abhi, hona hai.
Reporter: Ek pe kitna?
Rachit: 10…
Reporter: 10 lakh rupaye? Selection?
Rachit: Poora khatam, poora khelega.
Reporter: Confirmed hai, pakka?
Rachit: Confirmed hai, main saath jaata hoon khelne.
Reporter: Kahan jaate hain, local hi jaate honge na?
Rachit: Jahan bhi hote honge, is baar shayad Chandigarh mein hain match.
Reporter: Selection tere haath mein hai, confirmed?
Rachit: Selection mere haath mein hain, coach main hoon. Saath mein hi travel karte hain bachche.
Reporter: Saare matches khila dega?
Rachit: Saare khilaunga kya, mere haath mein hai.
Reporter: 10 lakh…?
Rachit: Haan, school Delhi ka hona chahiye bachche ka.
Reporter: Haan, ye to chahiye. Noida wagerah ka nahin chalega?
Rachit: Noida UP mein aata hai.
[The exchange suggests that even school-level cricket can become a marketplace where money buys access and playing time. What we learn is troubling: corruption can take root when young players are still at the beginning of their cricketing journey.]
In this chat, Rachit says he has made substantial money through selection deals. He puts the going rate at Rs 8-10 lakh for each selection. He confirms that the payment is made for each individual player selected. He also says more such selections are still to be made.
Reporter: To tune to bahut paisa bana liya hoga?
Rachit: Maine kaafi bana liya.
Reporter: Ek ke kitna le raha hai tu, selection mein?
Rachit: 8-10, 8-10 ka rate lag raha hai.
Reporter: 8-10 lakh?
Rachit: Haan.
Reporter: Ek selection ke?
Rachit: Ek selection ke.
Reporter: Is baar kitne kar diye tune?
Rachit: Abhi to chal rahi hai, abhi to karne hain.
[Rachit’s admission shows how selection can become a lucrative business. The lesson is stark: when money decides access, merit takes a back seat.]
In the following dialogue, Rachit says parents approach him directly with cash to secure their children’s selection. He recalls one parent arriving at his home with Rs 10 lakh in cash.
He says such payments are kept secret. Rachit said he happened to open the gate himself, otherwise his family could have discovered his illegal dealings.
Reporter: To log khud offer karte hain tujhe paisa?
Rachit: Hoon.
Reporter: Parents karte honge?
Rachit: Hoon, main apne munh se bol hi nahi sakta.
Reporter: To kaise karte hain matlab….
Rachit: Ek baar to ek parent ne bag pahuncha diya tha ghar pe. Sa*** ne mera address nikalwa liya… (expletives)**
Reporter: Kab ki baat hai ye?
Rachit: 23 ki.
Reporter: 2023…?
Rachit: Ek saal hi hua tha…, .. mere ko bane hue.
Reporter: Tu kab bana hai selector?
Rachit: 22 mein.
Reporter: 22 mein bana hai!
Rachit: (Nods) Haan.
Reporter: Okay… chaar saal ho gaye.
Rachit: Chaar saal ho gaye.
Reporter: Kitna paisa phansaaya?
Rachit: 10….
Reporter: 10 lakh rupaye cash!?
Rachit: Fourteenth ka, tab to itna rate bhi nahi tha.
Reporter: Tere paas kaun-kaun sa hai selection, 14, 17….
Rachit: 14, 17….
Reporter: 19?
Rachit: 19 bhi mera hi hai aap maan lo.
Reporter: Teenon tere hi hain?
Rachit: Mere hi hain.
Reporter: Baaki selector bhi kama rahe honge?
Rachit: (Nods) Daba ke….
Reporter: To tum matlab apne tak hi rakhte ho ya XXXX mein bhi pahunchate ho?
Rachit: Apne tak hi rakhte hain…. Ye baahar baat nahi jaati.
Reporter: XXXXX mein nahi bataate ho?
Rachit: Nahi.
Reporter: Pakka?
Rachit: Wahan pahunchate hi nahi… hum to ye show karte hain ki merit se aaye hain bachche.
Reporter: Hoon.. hoon.
Rachit: Achha, paisa to uska lete hain jo player ho. Aisa na ho ki pair pakadne se hi lein.
Reporter: Hoon, zero ho bilkul, use pata hi nahi hai.
Rachit: Haan, aisa nahi, player hona chahiye….Ab player to aur hain achhe khelne wale, lenge to ek ko.
Reporter: Hoon.. haan.
Rachit: Ek ko lenge to (smiling, he gestured for money). …Cricket to ho rahi hai, pehle jaisi nahi.
Reporter: To wo, cash agar tere ghar pe koi pahuncha de, to ghar walon ko bhi pata lag jaata hoga?
Rachit: Bahut risky tha, wo to by chance maine hi gate khola, driver aaya hua tha.
Reporter: Aur teri family mein kisi ko nahi bataya ye?
Rachit: Nahi.
Reporter: Papa wagairah ko?
Rachit: Nahi.
Reporter: Are unko ye lag raha hoga yaar ladka sa*** gaadiyan-waadiyan itni maintain kar raha hai, ye jo kuch to khel hai?
Rachit: (Laughing, he gave a half-nod)
[The exchange shows how deeply corruption can be embedded in cricket, with parents willing to pay for selection and officials hiding the payments. What we learn is disturbing: a sport built on merit can quietly become a market for those who can pay.]
In this Tehelka undercover operation, former Ranji player Rachit Bhatia was caught on camera acting as a go-between for Tehelka’s reporter, posing as a fake bookie, and a player from the Central Delhi Kings team in the Delhi Premiere League (DPL). He offered inside information about the playing XI before its official announcement, in exchange for money.
Sharing a playing XI with bookmakers before it is officially announced is a serious offence under cricket’s anti-corruption rules. Rachit promised to pass on the playing XI lists for all 10 matches involving the Central Delhi Kings in the DPL. We took information for only one match to expose how deep the corruption runs in cricket. Rachit did not stop there. He also promised to arrange spot-fixing in the IPL and DPL. He revealed that he himself had carried out spot-fixing in the Mushtaq Ali Trophy matches in 2018-19, receiving Rs 16 lakh from bookmakers for bowling two wide balls. He also disclosed that he had paid a Rs 15 lakh bribe for his selection in Nagaland’s Ranji team in the 2018-19 season. He further claimed that he takes bribes to select schoolchildren from Delhi schools for national school tournaments. His claims point to a disturbing chain of corruption, stretching from professional cricket to school-level selection.
Cricket match-fixing and corruption scandals have repeatedly rocked the sport in the past, exposing deep links between players, syndicates and bookmakers. Major inquiries have exposed corruption in international teams and led to lifetime bans for legendary players and prominent sport figures. Let’s see what the ICC and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) do about Tehelka’s exposé on corruption in cricket, with all the ingredients — match-fixing, spot-fixing and selection for cash.
