As the cricket world gears up for another high-voltage Indian Premier League (IPL) season, the buzz is already at its peak. The upcoming IPL 2026 is all set to begin in the March-May window, marking the 19th year of the league that has changed the game forever.
IPL promotion and the shadow of match fixing
Ten teams will once again compete for the cup, but every time the IPL comes to a close, an old theme comes back, talk of match-fixing. However, this time, former India wicketkeeper-batsman Parthiv Patel has stepped forward to address match-fixing concerns with a strong statement.
In 2013, the IPL faced one of its darkest moments when the fixing scandal rocked Indian cricket. Indian players S Sreesanth, Ankeet Chavan and Ajit Chandila were arrested and later banned from the game. The incident led to the suspension of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Rajasthan Royals (RCB) for two full seasons.
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However, Parthiv does not think that anything like that fixing would ever have happened. Well, that spot-fixing scandal forced BCCI and IPL to tighten their systems like never before. Since then, oversight has become stronger, regulations have become stricter and transparency has become a priority.
Inside IPL: Parthiv Patel’s perspective
Parthiv has lived the IPL life from within. He has played for big franchises like Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), Mumbai Indians (MI) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Currently, the former Indian cricketer is part of the Gujarat Titans setup as an assistant coach.
This tenure gives Patel a clear perspective on how the league operates behind closed doors. He told that fixing IPL matches is not as easy as people think, because every player is constantly monitored. He revealed that everything is monitored throughout the tournament and players have to report who visits them and where they go, which makes such things extremely difficult.
Parthiv Patel said on Jai Thadeshwar’s podcast, “I don’t think any game is ever fixed, nor do I believe anything is decided in advance – like which team will win or what will happen in a match. Based on how much I’ve played and watched, I don’t think it’s possible. All your phone calls, emails and even details about people you meet at the hotel are recorded. You have to account for all your activities, and there’s tight security. Is.”
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Tight security and why rumors persist?
The Gujarat Titans coach further informed that only approved people are allowed to enter the dressing rooms, stadium areas and hotels. He said that every individual has an identity record and even captains and big players are not given special treatment when it comes to IPL rules.
Patel further explained, “Everyone needs accreditation. Even if the captain does not have accreditation, he will still not be allowed to enter the field or the dressing room on the match day. There are photographs of all the people who can access the dressing rooms and even hotel areas.”
The former wicketkeeper also explained why rumors of match fixing spread so easily. He pointed out that the IPL is rich, popular and watched worldwide, which makes it an easy target, but similar claims are often made in international cricket, but the reality is quite the opposite.
Parthiv signed off by saying, “It’s easy for people to say that matches are fixed. It’s not just the IPL – even in international cricket, people often talk about fixing. But there is more at stake than just winning.”
