Rajasthan Royals have not bowled a ball yet this season, but one of their major talking points is already off the field. The franchise’s decision to stage all three of its first-phase home matches in Guwahati instead of Jaipur has drawn reactions, with former India opener Aakash Chopra openly questioning the logic behind it.
The frustration should obviously be there for Rajasthan fans. The first phase of IPL 2026 includes the three biggest fixtures against Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Ordinarily, those are the sort of nights that light up Jaipur. Instead, all three will be played in Assam, leaving supporters in Rajasthan to wait longer before they get a proper home game at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium.
Rajasthan to Guwahati: Almost 1600 kms apart
Chopra, speaking on his YouTube channel, said he has never quite understood the franchise’s Guwahati arrangement. In his view, the connection feels stretched for a side that carries Rajasthan in its name. He did acknowledge that current captain Riyan Parag is from Assam, but it shouldn’t be a reason to for a franchise to host its “home” game in opposite part of the country. The distance between Rajasthan and Guwahati is of approximately 1,587 kilometres.
“Two teams are getting three games apiece at home. One of them are the Rajasthan Royals, who don’t play at home at all. I have never understood their story to date, as to what their system is. Their home away from home is in Guwahati. All three of their games are in Guwahati. I am wondering what their connection with Guwahati is,” said Chopra on his YouTube channel.
“The team’s name is Rajasthan Royals. Rajasthan is in the west of India. Guwahati is in the east of India. It’s understandable if Kolkata want to go there, as it’s their catchment area. You can 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,” he added.
Why are Rajasthan Royals playing in Guwahati?
Rajasthan Royals have long used Guwahati as a secondary base, but this year the issue has gained more attention because all three home fixtures in the first phase have been moved there. Reports suggest the scheduling was influenced by elections in Assam and a request from the franchise management to cluster those games early in the season at the alternate venue. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, who is from Assam, is said to have approved the proposal.
Jaipur had already been preparing for IPL matches, and local fans now find themselves missing out on some of the biggest attractions in the tournament. MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya are all expected to feature in Guwahati instead of Jaipur during this opening stretch.
Having said that, the relationship between RR and Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) isn’t the best one. There were solid reports that stated that Rajasthan were looking to change their home venue, as they felt that the Sawai Mansingh Stadium lacked appropriate infrastructure on many fronts. In fact, RR agreed to play their four home games in Jaipur only after a meeting with the Rajasthan CM.
Jaipur fans left waiting
The first phase of the IPL schedule covers only 20 matches, so there is still room for Jaipur to host the Royals later in the season. Fans will hope the remaining four home matches are taken back to the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, where Rajasthan’s support base is strongest and the franchise feels most rooted.
Until then, the Royals head into IPL 2026 carrying a familiar debate with them. Guwahati may be their designated second home, but to many, three out of seven is no longer a side arrangement. It begins to look like a split identity.
Rajasthan Royals fixtures in IPL 2026 first phase
| Date | Day | Match | Venue | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 Mar | Monday | Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings | Guwahati | 7:30 PM |
| 4 Apr | Saturday | Gujarat Titans vs Rajasthan Royals | Ahmedabad | 7:30 PM |
| 7 Apr | Tuesday | Rajasthan Royals vs Mumbai Indians | Guwahati | 7:30 PM |
| 10 Apr | Friday | Rajasthan Royals vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Guwahati | 7:30 PM |
