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Aakash Chopra criticized Rajasthan Royals for splitting IPL 2026 home games between Guwahati and Jaipur, questioning their connection to Guwahati despite Riyan Parag being captain.
Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag (Picture Credit: Sportzpics)
Former India opener Aakash Chopra has slammed the Rajasthan Royals (RR) for once more dividing their home games within the IPL 2026 between Guwahati and Jaipur.
The IPL released a portion of the season’s schedule recently. In it, all three of RR’s home games — arguably against probably the most high-profile opponents, Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians, and Royal Challengers Bengaluru — were assigned to the Assam Cricket Association in Barsapara.
“Two teams are getting three games apiece at home. One in every of them are the Rajasthan Royals, who don’t play at home in any respect. I actually have never understood their story thus far, as to what their system is. Their home away from house is in Guwahati. All three of their games are in Guwahati. I’m wondering what their reference to Guwahati is,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel.
This has been happening for just a few years now. Some have pointed to RR’s alleged rift with the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) as the rationale. The franchise have been taking a look at alternate venues for the past few years, too.
Other observers consider it’s a part of the team’s technique to construct a brand around Riyan Parag, their star young player, who’s from Assam and was appointed the captain this yr.
“The team’s name is Rajasthan Royals. Rajasthan is within the west of India. Guwahati is within the east of India. It’s comprehensible if Kolkata desires to go there, because it’s their catchment area. You’ll be able to still understand the affiliation for Guwahati since Riyan Parag is the captain now, but this team has nothing to do with Guwahati in any way,” added Chopra.
In 2024, when RR had decided to play two games in Guwahati, RR’s Chairperson Ranjit Barthakur, who also hails from Assam, and BCCI Joint Secretary Devajit Saikia addressed a press conference on the ACA Stadium, where the previous said the team’s aim was ‘the socio-economic development of Assam and NorthEast through cricket.’
March 12, 2026, 19:26 IST
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