Rajasthan Royals have managed just one win in five games at the venue thus far, coming against the Delhi Capitals in April 2023.
Rajasthan Royals’ decision to opt for Guwahati’s Barsapara Stadium as their second home in the Indian Premier League (IPL) has failed to work in their favour after the team incurred an eight-wicket loss against Kolkata Knight Riders on Wednesday in their second match of the season.
Kolkata Knight Riders’ batter Quinton de Kock greets Rajasthan Royals’ captain Riyan Parag after KKR’s win on Wednesday(PTI)
Rajasthan picked Guwahati as their second home in addition to Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur in 2023. However, the 2008 champions have managed just one win in five games at the venue thus far, coming against the Delhi Capitals in April 2023.
Speaking to Cricbuzz, former New Zealand batter Simon Doull questioned the logic behind Rajasthan wanting to seek home advantage outside their regular venue in Jaipur. He felt that top IPL teams like Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians would have never opted to move out of their home comfort unless forced to.
“You want to make your home ground the best you can make. And when RR were a very good side, they were constantly winning at home in Jaipur. So, if you want to be a serious contender, you must maximize what is in your control, which is your seven home games. Look, these sides are making money from the television rights deal, and Rajasthan, in particular, are 10 times more valuable than they were when purchased 18 years ago. So it can’t purely be about money. They have to think about a home venue. Could you ever imagine Chennai moving away from Chepauk or Mumbai playing outside the Wankhede Stadium? It’s just not going to happen,” he said.
‘RR have to pick teams for both venues’
Doull also stressed the additional pressure Rajasthan took upon themselves to pick players who would be good at both home venues.
“When you’re picking a team at the moment, they’re looking at a team for two different venues, completely different venues because Rajasthan Sawai Mansingh usually plays really well typically just a really good surface. So you’re trying to look for a team at an auction for two different venues, which does not make it easy,” he added.
Rajasthan will play another match in Guwahati, against Chennai Super Kings on Sunday. Their first home game in Jaipur will be on April 13, against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
