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BCCI issues ultimatum to RCA: No IPL matches in Jaipur without elections

Jatin

BCCI puts Jaipur hosting rights on hold [Source: @chinmayshah28/x.com]BCCI puts Jaipur hosting rights on hold [Source: @chinmayshah28/x.com]

The tug of war over Jaipur’s IPL future has finally reached a breaking point. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BBC) has drawn a firm line in the sand and made it clear that IPL matches will not return to Jaipur unless the Rajasthan Cricket Association gets its governance act together.

Jaipur faces IPL exit as BCCI hardens stance on RCA elections

At the heart of the issue lies a long-pending requirement: elections. With the IPL growing bigger by the season and administrative clarity becoming non-negotiable, the BCCI has told the Rajasthan Cricket Association that an ad hoc setup will no longer suffice. Either a duly elected body takes charge, or Jaipur risks being taken out of the IPL map altogether.

Speaking to select media on the sidelines of the auction in Abu Dhabi, IPL chairman Arun Singh Dhumal didn’t mince his words.

“We had written to the state body last time around that until and unless they conduct the RCA elections and get an elected body in place, it would be difficult for us to take the IPL to the venue,” Dhumal said.

And the situation hasn’t changed since then.

“As of now, they have not conducted the elections… once we do that due diligence and if the RCA is able to conduct their elections smoothly and fairly, we will consider that as a winner.”

Ad hoc setup under scanner

For the past two years, the RCA has been run by an ad hoc committee appointed by the state government. The committee, headed by Deen Dayal Kumawat, has been managing affairs in the absence of an elected body.

But from the BCCI’s point of view, that setup no longer cuts it, especially when it comes to hosting a tournament as big and logistically demanding as the IPL.

Royals exploring backup options

Jaipur has been the home base of the Rajasthan Royals for nearly 18 years. But uncertainty around the venue has forced the franchise to keep its options open.

As reported earlier, the Royals have already explored alternatives and even carried out a recce in Pune as a possible backup venue. It is a clear sign that franchises aren’t willing to wait forever while administrative issues drag on.

RCA says it’s ready

The RCA, however, insists it’s prepared to host IPL matches at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium.

“We have had discussions with the RR management. If the BCCI has any issues with the RCA, we will take them up with the state government and address them as well,” Kumawat told Cricbuzz.

But the BCCI’s stance remains unchanged: no elected body, no IPL. Jaipur’s fate as an IPL venue now depends entirely on how quickly and cleanly the RCA conducts its elections.