Former India opener Aakash Chopra has slammed the Rajasthan Royals (RR) for once again dividing their home games in the IPL 2026 between Guwahati and Jaipur.
The IPL released a portion of the season’s schedule
recently. In it, all three of RR’s home games — arguably against the most high-profile opponents, Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians, and Royal Challengers Bengaluru — were assigned to the Assam Cricket Association in Barsapara.
“Two teams are getting three games apiece at home. One of them are the Rajasthan Royals, who don’t play at home at all. I have never understood their story to date, as to what their system is. Their home away from home is in Guwahati. All three of their games are in Guwahati. I am wondering what their connection with Guwahati is,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel.
This has been going on for a few years now. Some have pointed to RR’s alleged rift with the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) as the reason. The franchise have been looking at alternate venues for the past few years, too.
Other observers believe it’s part of the team’s strategy to build a brand around Riyan Parag, their star young player, who is from Assam and was appointed the captain this year.
“The team’s name is Rajasthan Royals. Rajasthan is in the west of India. Guwahati is in the east of India. It’s understandable if Kolkata wants to go there, as it’s their catchment area. You can still understand the affiliation for Guwahati since Riyan Parag is the captain now, but this team has nothing to do with Guwahati in any way,” added Chopra.
In 2024, when RR had decided to play two games in Guwahati, RR’s Chairperson Ranjit Barthakur, who also hails from Assam, and BCCI Joint Secretary Devajit Saikia addressed a press conference at the ACA Stadium, where the former said the team’s aim was ‘the socio-economic development of Assam and NorthEast through cricket.’
