IPL 2023 | Guwahati Set to Host Maiden IPL Game
Barsapara Cricket Stadium is located in Guwahati [Source: Twitter]
History will be created today when Rajasthan Royals take on the Punjab Kings in their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 encounter in Guwahati. This mouth-watering encounter will be the first-ever IPL match to be held at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium.
Guwahati is designated as the Royals' second home this season, hosting them in two matches against — the Punjab Kings (today) and Delhi Capitals on April 8. The Assam Cricket Association (ACA) pushed for hosting rights back in 2018 and were allotted games for the 2020 edition, however, an unforeseen COVID pandemic forced the season to shift outside India to the UAE.
The Barsapara Cricket Stadium has already hosted two One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and three T20Is, since making its debut back in 2017.
India have won 3 international matches here while losing two and one ending in no result.
The track is expected to be batting-friendly with some assistance for the fast bowlers, with the average par score being around 178. Rajasthan Royals are expected to get a huge support at the stadium as Guwahati's home-boy Riyan Parag who plays for Royals will take the field for the first time in his home ground in IPL.
Post the Delhi match, Rajasthan will play their remaining five home matches at their regular home ground, the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur.
Much like Rajasthan, the Punjab Kings franchise will also play two out of their seven home games at Dharamsala. Let's hope for a cracker of a game to start off a memorable journey of IPL in Barsapara Stadium, Guwahati.
 "Vishal Mehra")
