Guwahati to host 2 IPL matches, confirms schedule

Digital Desk: The Indian Premier League (IPL) announced the official schedule for the 2023 season on Friday and Guwahati has been confirmed to host two IPL matches for the Rajasthan Royals.

Previously, it was reported that the Assam Cricket Association (ACA) was in talks with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Rajasthan Royals to bring two IPL matches to Guwahati.

And now, with the IPL's official schedule released, Guwahati has been confirmed to host two IPL matches this season as the home ground for Rajasthan Royals on April 5 and April 8.

The Rajasthan Royals will face the Punjab Kings in the first of two IPL matches on April 5 in Guwahati, according to the schedule (Wednesday). The game will begin at 7.30 p.m.

Furthermore, the second IPL match will be played two days later on April 8 (Saturday), with Rajasthan Royals taking on Delhi Capitals. That game will begin at 3:30 p.m.

It should be noted that the IPL franchise Rajasthan Royals has a partnership with the Assam Cricket Association and promotes youth cricket in Guwahati.

Furthermore, ACA President Taranga Gogoi had all but confirmed the news earlier in the day, after years of speculation about Guwahati hosting an IPL match.

According to Taranga Gogoi, "Even before the Covid-19 outbreak, there were plans to hold an IPL match in Guwahati. However, due to the pandemic, the IPL was forced to relocate to Dubai and was only played at select venues."

He stated, "Assam Cricket Association has always wanted to host an IPL match in Guwahati, and since there are no teams from the northeast in the IPL, we asked the Rajasthan Royals to consider Guwahati as their home ground. A team was sent on their behalf to inspect the grounds and facilities."

"We do not have an official confirmation from their end, however, we are hopeful and it is very likely that we will be hosting an IPL match. With the IPL schedule for this season approaching, we expect to be given two matches near the start of the season, either the second or third match," Gogoi added.

The ACA President went on to say that this is fantastic news for Assam cricket fans. "We expect to be given two IPL matches on April 8 and April 10," he said. We have asked the BCCI and Rajasthan Royals to consider the two dates before the Bihu festival because the timing is close to Bihu and the weather is expected to be rainy at that time of year."

Taranga Gogoi also stated that because the Rajasthan Royals will be the home team, they will arrive in Guwahati ahead of time and hold their practise sessions here. They are expected to arrive in March, while the two opposing IPL teams are scheduled to arrive in April."