Kamal Ghorui
JAIPUR: In a significant development resolving the prolonged standoff over venue safety and liability concerns, Rajasthan Royals officials, led by chairperson Ranjit Barthakur, have met with Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma. The discussions have resulted in a mutual consensus, paving the way for the franchise to host a portion of their IPL 2026 home matches at the Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Stadium in Jaipur.
A source close to the developments confirmed, “Royals chairperson met the CM. The decision has been taken to host four matches in Jaipur and three in Guwahati.”In the past few years, Royals have been hosting two matches in Guwahati and five in Jaipur. This new arrangement represents a slight adjustment, with one additional match shifting to Barsapara Cricket Stadium.This agreement follows the Royals’ earlier insistence on an indemnity waiver from the state government, prompted by a detailed 700-page independent audit by Tata Projects that highlighted serious deficiencies in the stadium’s infrastructure and safety standards. The Rajasthan State Sports Council (RSSC) had previously downplayed many of these concerns, deeming them minor and addressable through routine maintenance. The intervention by the chief minister appears to have been instrumental in breaking the deadlock, with the government demonstrating commitment to addressing the Royals’ concerns while ensuring the IPL remains in the state. The RSSC has now initiated repair and upgrade works at the stadium to bring it up to the required standards for hosting matches.
