The Rajasthan Cricket Association’s (RCA) government-appointed ad hoc committee has formally contacted the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Indian Premier League (IPL) authorities to address the growing uncertainty regarding the Rajasthan Royals’ home venue for the 2026 season.
As per a report in Cricbuzz, the committee, led by DD Kumawat, sent a comprehensive letter to the BCCI, with copies to the board’s president, secretary, and the IPL chairman, emphasising the RCA’s commitment to cooperating with all stakeholders to resolve the issue amicably.
“The RCA remains fully committed to working constructively with the Rajasthan Royals, the BCCI, and all stakeholders to resolve any concerns promptly and professionally, in the larger
interest of the game.”
This letter follows reports that the Rajasthan Royals approached the Maharashtra Cricket Association to explore hosting their home matches in Pune, citing infrastructure concerns at Jaipur’s Sawai Mansingh (SMS) Stadium.
Also Read: Pune’s MCA Stadium Likely To Host RR Or RCB’s Home Matches In IPL 2026
Addressing these concerns, the RCA wrote: “It has been brought to our attention that the Rajasthan Royals franchise has expressed certain concerns regarding infrastructure at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium and has sought consideration of alternative venues. While the importance of safety and infrastructure compliance is fully acknowledged, it is necessary to state that any technical or safety assessment of a government-owned stadium must be undertaken strictly within the established regulatory framework and in coordination with the statutory authorities.
“In this regard, the RCA was neither informed of nor associated with the third-party assessment reportedly commissioned by the franchise. The RCA wishes to state unequivocally that the Sawai Mansingh Stadium is structurally sound and operationally safe. The stadium has successfully hosted IPL matches for nearly two decades, in addition to numerous domestic and international fixtures.”
Hosting Rohit’s VHT Return As Proof
To support its position, the RCA highlighted its recent experience of hosting domestic tournaments at the venue. Ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy matches in Jaipur were cited as proof of the stadium’s readiness, with the letter stating, “Most recently, Vijay Hazare Trophy matches were conducted at the venue with large spectator attendance and without any safety or security incidents, further reaffirming its readiness to host high-profile events.” The association also pointed out that nearly 20,000 spectators attended Mumbai’s VHT matches featuring Rohit Sharma, with teams from eight states currently playing across venues in Rajasthan.
The letter concluded: “Jaipur has historically been, and continues to be, the home venue of the Rajasthan Royals, and the people of Rajasthan have consistently demonstrated unwavering support for the franchise. The RCA remains fully committed to working constructively with the Rajasthan Royals, the BCCI, and all stakeholders to resolve any concerns promptly and professionally, in the larger interest of the game.
“In view of the above, we respectfully request the BCCI to allocate the home matches of the Rajasthan Royals to the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur, for the forthcoming IPL season. The RCA assures its complete cooperation and proactive engagement to ensure the smooth, secure, and successful conduct of IPL 2026 in Jaipur.”
The Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) had on Sunday thanked the Indian Premier League (IPL) sides Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Rajasthan Royals for visiting the MCA International Stadium.
