Preparation on to host 2 IPL matches in Guwahati
Our Sports Reporter
GUWAHATI: Nothing is officials until February 13 when the High Court of Rajasthan gives the final verdict on a PIL related to the shifting of venue of Rajasthan Royals home match.
But if the verdict goes in favour of Rajasthan Royals, it is confirmed that Guwahati will host at least two matches of the next edition of IPL involving the team.
The chance of Guwahati to enter IPL maps became brighter after a team of Rajasthan Royals and IMG had visited the ACA stadium, Barsapara today. During the visit they also gave thumbs up to the ACA (Assam Cricket Association).
Well placed sources said that as the time is very limited so the IMG, the parent body of the meet, and Rajasthan Royals are completing all the necessary works and if the court verdict allows them to shift the venue Guwahati will host at least two matches as per the earlier schedule.
It may be mentioned here that Rajasthan Royals had much earlier planned to bring a couple of their home matches to Guwahati this season. In November 2019, Rajasthan Royals co-owner Manoj Bedale announced that the team has opted for Guwahati’s ACA Stadium as one of their home venues for IPL 2020. Everything looked as per schedule and the BCCI too gave green signal but a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed by three petitioners at the Jaipur bench of Rajasthan High Court, claiming that shifting of matches outside Jaipur “would be disrespectful to the state”.
The respondents - Rajasthan Royals, among others - sought a short adjournment to the hearing to file the reply as sought. The matter has now been listed for February 13.
Assam Cricket Association secretary Devajit Saikia today admitted that a meeting was held between the IMG, Rajasthan Royals and the officials of the ACA regarding the holding of forthcoming IPL matches in Guwahati today. Talking to the media person Saikia said, “As the matter is still sub-judice so I don’t want to talk too much on it. But yes, we are doing all the preparations to host the IPL Games in Guwahati. A detailed discussion in this regard was held among the officials of the three organizations -IMG, Rajasthan Royals and ACA- and necessary agreement was also reached.”
He added: “Both the IMG and Rajasthan Royals have planned to start their office in Guwahati in the next month to expedite the preparations.”
Officials of Rajasthan Royals and IMG however refused to speak with the media today.
Also Read: Rajasthan Royals will play two of their IPL matches in Guwahati
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