RAJASTHAN ROYALS HAVE received a major boost in their efforts to continue hosting Indian Premier League (IPL) matches in Jaipur after the Rajasthan High Court ordered fresh elections to the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA), a move that could resolve the governance issues that have threatened the city’s status as the franchise’s long-term home.
According to a report by The Times of India, the court has suspended the RCA’s ad hoc committee and directed that elections be conducted within three months. The ruling addresses a long-running administrative deadlock that has affected the functioning of the Rajasthan Cricket Association. The High Court’s decision effectively ends the tenure of the ad hoc committee appointed to oversee the association and sets a clear timeline for restoring an elected administration, a key requirement for the RCA to regain full recognition from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
The absence of an elected RCA body has been one of the principal obstacles to Jaipur’s position as Rajasthan Royals’ home venue. Under BCCI norms, state associations are expected to have democratically elected office-bearers to administer cricket and host official domestic and IPL matches. With elections now mandated by the court, Rajasthan Royals’ prospects of continuing to play their home games at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium have improved considerably.
The governance uncertainty had previously forced the franchise to consider alternative arrangements for some of its home fixtures. Although Jaipur has remained the Royals’ traditional base since the inaugural IPL season in 2008, prolonged administrative disputes within the RCA had raised concerns over whether the city would continue to host matches in the future.
The High Court’s intervention is expected to accelerate the restoration of normal administrative functioning within the state association. Once elections are completed and an elected body assumes office, the RCA is likely to seek renewed recognition from the BCCI, enabling it to manage cricketing operations in Rajasthan without administrative uncertainty.
While the court’s order marks a significant step forward, the long-term outcome will depend on the successful conduct of RCA elections within the stipulated three-month period and the subsequent restoration of full recognition by the BCCI. If these milestones are achieved, Jaipur is expected to remain the home of Rajasthan Royals for future IPL seasons.
