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The ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2026 has been beleaguered with a major betting racket operation. The racket, operating on a large-scale in Odisha’s Rourkela, was busted by the local police with raids conducted across multiple locations.
As per the police sources, the accused were running an online betting operation that allowed users to make bets on live cricket matches. The betting volumes evidently surged among the youth during India’s blockbuster Group A showdown against arch-rivals Pakistan in Colombo last weekend.
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IND vs PAK targeted by illegal betting operation, apprehended by police
As reported by OdishaTV, Rourkela police busted a major betting racket operation across multiple locations in the city. The police even arrested six individuals and seized more than Rs. 30 lakhs in cash.
The illegal betting operation was running through a mobile application and was circulated among local youth. The platform gained much traction during the high-stakes Group A match of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup between India and Pakistan on February 15.
Even though the operation was running digitally, the cash seizure by the police highlighted the scale at which the illegal activity was being conducted.
10 locations, six arrests and a Thar seizure
The crackdown by the Rourkela police involved raids at more than 10 locations in the city’s vicinity. A case has already been registered at the Bandhamunda police station in connection with the operation.
Apart from the cash seizure, the police also seized a Thar vehicle during the raids. The six arrested individuals were identified as Rohit Bagat, Pankaj Bagat, Sonu Rao, Mukesh Sahoo, Jitendra Agarwal and Suresh Khemka.
Even though the alleged mastermind of the entire Rourkela betting operation has been apprehended by the police, the authorities are now suspecting a wider network. Cities like Delhi and Mumbai are now being probed for suspected links to the broader illegal operation.
Incidentally, Delhi and Mumbai also happen to be two of the venues hosting matches in the ongoing 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. The coincidence has intensified scrutiny, with authorities assessing whether the racket had operational touchpoints in other host cities as well.
While Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium and Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium have already hosted multiple matches this tournament in India, the two are also designated venues for a Group 1 fixture each. Moreover, the Wankhede Stadium will also be hosting one of the two semifinals of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026.
Rourkela operation a stain on a global spectacle, but the show must go on
The Rourkela betting racket and its possible links to other cities have certainly put a dent in an otherwise competitive T20 World Cup 2026. However, with a large-scale operation having been busted at one location, authorities will hope the swift action prevents any further shadow from falling over the tournament.
For now, the focus shifts back to the action on the field, as eight teams brace themselves for the Super 8 stage of the competition.
The opening Super 8 match of the ICC T20 World Cup will be played on February 21 with a match between New Zealand and Pakistan in Colombo. Team India will go up against South Africa the following day in Ahmedabad.
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