Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati

The Assam Cricket Association (ACA) stadium at Barsapara in Guwahati will play host to Indian Premier League (IPL) matches between Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Capitals on April 5 and between the Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders on April 9.

The two ‘home’ matches of Jaipur-based side Rajasthan Royals will be played at the Barsapara stadium in Guwahati only after clearance from Rajasthan High Court where a PIL was filed against the Royals’ move to adopt Guwahati as one of their home venues. The petitioners have claimed that such a move “would be disrespectful to the state”.

On February 15, BCCI announced the schedule for the 2020 edition of IPL. BCCI has marked Jaipur as the alternative venue for the April 5 and April 9 matches if the PILs don’t move in favour of the Royals.

The Guwahati matches are scheduled for the evening of April 5 (against Delhi Capitals) and April 9 (against Kolkata Knight Riders).

The Assam Cricket Association was very keen to host the IPL matches as they were struggling to manage the huge PR crisis that came their way after the New Year’s first India vs Sri Lanka T20I was abandoned due to seepage of rain water onto the pitch.

On February 14, Assam finance minister and former ACA President Himanta Biswa Sarma thanked BCCI Secretary Jay Shah for the ‘initiative’. “It is a moment of joy for us as @rajasthanroyals will play 2 matches in #IPL’s next season in #Guwahati. I appreciate Sri @JayShah for this great initiative for the people of #NorthEastIndia. May the spirit of sports keep us united forever. @IPL @BCCI,” he tweeted.

The 2020 edition of the IPL will start from March 29 with a match between Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings at Mumbai.

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