RCA urges BCCI to retain SMS Stadium as IPL venue amid Royals' concerns

The Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) has appealed to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to retain Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Stadium as a venue for the upcoming IPL Season 19. The RCA assured the BCCI, IPL, and Rajasthan Royals that all necessary safety measures will be implemented well in advance, in accordance with BCCI guidelines and regulations.

The RCA's ad-hoc committee wrote to the BCCI and IPL authorities, stating its commitment to working constructively with the Rajasthan Royals and all stakeholders to resolve any concerns.

The letter addresses concerns raised by the Rajasthan Royals, who have reportedly approached the Maharashtra Cricket Association to host their home games in Pune. The RCA stated that any technical or safety assessment of the government-owned stadium must be undertaken within the established regulatory framework and in coordination with statutory authorities.

The RCA clarified it was not informed of or associated with any third-party assessment commissioned by the franchise. It asserted that the Sawai Mansingh Stadium is structurally sound and operationally safe, having successfully hosted IPL matches for nearly two decades, along with numerous domestic and international fixtures.

The association highlighted that it has been successfully hosting domestic games, including ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy matches in Jaipur. It noted that these matches were conducted with large spectator attendance and without any safety or security incidents, reaffirming the venue's readiness for high-profile events.

The letter emphasized Jaipur's historical role as the home venue of the Rajasthan Royals and the unwavering support from the people of Rajasthan. The RCA requested the BCCI to allocate the home matches of the Rajasthan Royals to the Sawai Mansingh Stadium for the forthcoming IPL season, assuring complete cooperation for the smooth and successful conduct of IPL 2026 in Jaipur.

The BCCI and Rajasthan Royals have had multiple issues with the ad-hoc committee. The BCCI has pushed for elections in the state body, while the Royals were reportedly upset after a member of the ad-hoc panel accused the team of being involved in fixing.

The RCA claims it has not received any communication from the BCCI regarding the conduct of elections and says it is prepared to hold them if insisted upon by the parent body. Regarding the allegations against the Royals, the association stated it has barred the member who made what it called "false and baseless" charges.