CSK's Vansh Bedi says he is not the unnamed player in sting operation row

Photo credit: Vansh Bedi Instagram account

NEW DELHI: Delhi wicketkeeper-batter Vansh Bedi has denied any connection with the controversy surrounding a sting operation that alleged the misuse of confidential team information in Indian cricket, saying attempts to link him to the case are "false and defamatory".Bedi, who was part of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) set-up during IPL 2025 and later played for Central Delhi Kings in the Delhi Premier League (DPL), broke his silence on Tuesday after his name began circulating on social media following an undercover investigation involving former domestic cricketer Rachit Bhatia.In a statement posted on Instagram, Bedi said he was not the unnamed CSK player mentioned during the sting operation and had no involvement in the allegations made by Bhatia.“I categorically state that I am not the individual referred to by Ex-Ranji Trophy cricketer Rachit Bhatia in the sting operation concerning alleged match-fixing involving a CSK player, nor do I have any involvement whatsoever in any such activity,” Bedi wrote.

He also said that any attempt to connect him with the allegations was defamatory and that his legal team had started the process of taking action.Bedi said his lawyers were pursuing “appropriate civil and criminal action” against those responsible for circulating the claims.

The original undercover investigation did not identify Bedi as the player who allegedly supplied confidential information to Bhatia. However, his name later began circulating online.Earlier on Tuesday, the Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) also responded to media reports about alleged corruption in the Delhi Premier League, calling the allegations "unverified".“DDCA would like to clarify that the allegations referred to in these reports are unverified and have not been established by any competent authority. The Association believes it would be inappropriate to draw conclusions about any individual, player or franchise based solely on such allegations,” the DDCA said in a statement.“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.”