IPL: Rajasthan Royals to play home matches in Jaipur

The decks were finally cleared for the Rajasthan Cricket Association to host the home matches of Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur in the sixth edition of the Indian Premier League after it decided to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the state government regarding the use of Sawai Man Singh Stadium.

A deadlock between the RCA and Rajasthan State Sports Council (RSSC) had threatened to take away all the home matches of Rajasthan Royals and to Ahmedabad and Rajkot in Gujarat.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was compelled to take a decision in this regard but the hectic activity in top political circles and the court verdict paved the way for Jaipur to host atleast some of the IPL matches.

In accord with a decision by the divisional bench of the High Court the RCA and State Government signed a MOU for five years.

"A MoU was signed between the RCA and the State Government which means that Jaipur would be hosting the home matches of the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL-6. We have also deposited post dated Cheques of Rs.20, 00,000/= (Twenty Lakhs) for each match.

"Dr. C P Joshi the president of the RCA has shown a good gesture by giving a cheque of Rs 1 crore to the Government for utilizing it for the cause of other sports in state," said K K Sharma, the acting secretary of RCA.

"The government had added a clause in the MoU which states that the SMS stadium will remain to be a property of the state Government. We do not object to it. We are happy that we now have the possession through MoU. We have the right to use the North and the South Pavilion and we would start the preparation as soon as possible.

"We are determined to enhance the reputation of the state by holding the matches in grand fashion. He whole executive is eager to contribute for the cause," he said.

The MoU between the RCA and the RSSC had expired in July last year and the latter was reluctant to renew it owing to violations by RCA and its denials to clear the dues.

The RCA had built pressure by refusing to bow to the demands of RSSC and the State Government, sidelining the RSSC, had then constituted a three member committee headed by chief secretary which had asked the RCA to deposit portion of dues.