Amid tiff with Rajasthan Royals, RCA urges BCCI to retain SMS stadium as venue for IPL 2026

Amid reports that the Rajasthan Royals (RR) are exploring the MCA Stadium in Pune as an alternative home venue for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season, the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) has requested the BCCI and the franchise not to move out of the Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Stadium in Jaipur. RCA have written to the BCCI, urging them to retain SMS Stadium as a venue for the upcoming IPL 2026 season.

The move comes after reports emerged last year about a tiff between the Rajasthan Royals and the RCA over apparent issues in the state cricketing body. RR was accused of match-fixing during IPL 2025 by an RCA official, which led to a boiling point between both parties. RR were also reportedly not happy with the administrative issues in the RCA.

Rajasthan Royals reportedly also raised concerns regarding the infrastructure at the Sawai Man Singh Stadium in Jaipur. Reacting to the issues raised by RR, the Rajasthan Cricket Association has sent a detailed communication to the BCCI and IPL authorities, emphasising their intent to resolve the differences between all concerned parties.

The DD Kumawat-led Rajasthan Government-appointed adhoc committee, which is currently running the RCA, stated in the letter that all safety measures, as per the BCCI guidelines, government regulations and standard international practices will be put in place to ensure IPL 2026 matches are cinducted smoothly at the SMS Stadium in Jaipur.

"It has been brought to our attention that the Rajasthan Royals franchise has expressed certain concerns regarding infrastructure at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium and has sought consideration of alternative venues. While the importance of safety and infrastructure compliance is fully acknowledged, it is necessary to state that any technical or safety assessment of a government-owned stadium must be undertaken strictly within the established regulatory framework and in coordination with the statutory authorities," RCA wrote in its letter to the BCCI and IPL authorities, as quoted by Cricbuzz.

The Rajasthan Cricket Association also cited the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy matches in Rajasthan, where several matches have been played at the SMS Stadium in Jaipur. Highlighting the huge crowd turnouts during Mumbai's VHT matches featuring former India captain Rohit Sharma, RCA highlighted the stadium's readiness to host matches in IPL 2026.

RCA also stressed on Jaipur's significance as a historical home venue for the Rajasthan Royals and the support the franchise has received from the home crowd over the years in the IPL. The state body reiterated that it is ready to work constructively with BCCI and RR to resolve all issues amicably and professionally, in the larger interest of the game.

"In view of the above, we respectfully request the BCCI to allocate the home matches of the Rajasthan Royals to the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur, for the forthcoming IPL season. The RCA assures its complete cooperation and proactive engagement to ensure the smooth, secure, and successful conduct of IPL 2026 in Jaipur," wrote the RCA.

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The Rajasthan Cricket Association also confirmed that it has barred the member, who levelled match-fixing allegations against the Rajasthan Royals during IPL 2025 last year. Jaydeep Bihani, who is the convener of the RCA’s previous ad-hoc committee, had alleged RR were involved in match-fixing during IPL 2025.

Rajasthan Royals strongly denied the allegations, which were later found 'baseless' by the BCCI. Calling Bihani's charges 'false and baseless', RCA confirmed that he has been barred from the state cricketing body. RCA also stated that it is ready to host elections if instructed by the BCCI, which is miffed due to the long pending elections in the state body, which has been governed by ad-hoc panel for almost two years now.