Rajasthan Royals ensure Guwahati’s debut in IPL 2020

Our Sports Reporter

GUWAHATI: Now it is official. Rajasthan Royals will play at least two of their IPL games in Guwahati when the competition returns in 2020.

There is more good news for cricket lovers of the State. Local boy Riyan Parag is all set to stay at the Royals camp in the next season and Rajasthan- the based franchise will be setting up a branch of their cricket academy in the city which will be operational by January.

Guwahati was on the radar of IPL franchises for the last couple of years. Earlier, Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders showed a lot of interest to use the ACA Stadium, Barsapara as their second home venue. However, it did not materialize. But the waiting of the local crowd to witness IPL matches in their home ground finally came to an end, courtesy Rajasthan Royals.

Addressing the media here today, Manoj Badale, the co-owner of Rajasthan Royals, officially announced that they have selected Guwahati as their second home venue for the next season. “Yes, we have selected Guwahati as our second home venue and the city will host at least two of our matches during IPL 2020. We feel it will give a boost to cricket in the region,” said Badale.

He also added: “Rajasthan Royals will start a cricket academy in Guwahati very soon to groom young talents of the State as well as in the region and it would start functioning in the next two months.”

Last year, local boy Riyan Parag, who represented Rajasthan Royals, displayed good performance in the IPL. Badale confirmed that Riyan is all set to stay in the team next season. Replying to a query he said, “Riyan is a promising player and he would be retained in the team.”

The media briefing was also attended by the executive chairman of Rajasthan Royals Ranjit Barthakur, COO Jake Lush McCrum, along with president and secretary of Assam Cricket Association Ramen Dutta and Devajit Saikia respectively and Avinash Joshi, Principal Secretary (Sports).

Barthakur, who was the man behind bringing Rajasthan Royals to Guwahati, in a brief statement stated: “Assam is now the nucleus of cricket activities in the Northeast. I am optimistic that the entire Northeast will be benefited from the IPL matches and the academy which we are going to start very shortly in Guwahati.”

Giving his reaction to the new development, secretary of the Assam Cricket Association Devajit Saikia said, “We are really happy that Rajasthan Royals will play a few of their IPL matches in Guwahati and also start a cricket academy in the city. We have talent in cricket and this kind of support will help us to groom those talents in the best possible way.”

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