IPL: RCA Ad Hoc Committee Chair Raises Concerns Over Sports Council's Operations; Questions RR's Defeat to LSG

Jaipur, April 21 (NationPress) The cricket landscape in Rajasthan is evolving into a political arena, as the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) Ad Hoc committee has voiced significant apprehensions regarding the State Sports Council's operations.

The committee has expressed discontent over its exclusion from the Indian Premier League (IPL) arrangements in Jaipur and has cast doubt on the Rajasthan Royals' recent surprising defeat to the Lucknow Super Giants in a match they were expected to win.

Committee Chair and BJP MLA Jaideep Bihani has suggested that foul play may be involved, questioning, "How did RR lose a match they were winning? What message does this send to the young players of Rajasthan?"

Bihani has accused the Rajasthan State Sports Council of acting against the welfare of cricket by excluding the RCA and the government-appointed ad hoc committee from the IPL's organization.

The ad hoc committee, led by Bihani, was established by the state government to monitor and advance cricket activities throughout Rajasthan. Under its supervision, numerous BCCI tournaments have been successfully conducted, and improved sports facilities have been created for budding talent across the state. Given the RCA’s impressive track record, its absence from IPL operations has raised eyebrows.

Bihani also claimed that not only was the RCA ad hoc committee excluded from IPL planning, but its members were also denied accreditation. In their place, accreditation was allegedly awarded to a secretary from a district cricket association linked with the RCA—a move Bihani called a calculated conspiracy. In past IPL seasons, the RCA would distribute complimentary match passes to the Chief Minister’s Office, ministers, senior officials, dignitaries, district cricket associations, and former players.

However, this year, passes are reportedly being distributed selectively to personal contacts and preferred districts, undermining the RCA’s longstanding role.

He further alleged that efforts are underway to destabilize the ad hoc committee by creating parallel organizations and misrepresenting its aim. "If the committee’s sole function was to conduct elections, then why has the state government extended its tenure five times?" Bihani inquired, affirming that the government is thoroughly satisfied with the committee’s performance.

Referencing past accountability measures, he pointed out that the ad hoc committee had conducted a comprehensive 368-page audit of the previous RCA executive body and had even lodged an FIR at the Jyoti Nagar Police Station.

“If the Sports Council is so vigilant, why has no action been taken on that FIR?” he questioned.

Bihani also objected to the use of RCA’s high-value ground equipment and staff for IPL matches without compensation. While the Rajasthan Royals are reportedly paying crores in rent to the Sports Council for the use of the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, RCA’s curator Taposh Chatterjee and other ground staff are maintaining the pitch and facilities without any payment. Bihani described this as a strategic move to diminish the RCA’s involvement in cricket operations.

He subsequently accused Rajasthan Royals vice president Rajeev Khanna of deliberately trying to alienate the RCA from cricket affairs. Although the RCA has submitted a list of its equipment to both the Royals and the Sports Council for reimbursement, no action has been taken thus far.

When approached for comments, Rajeev Khanna refrained from addressing Bihani’s statements. "I and Rajasthan Royals have been collaborating with both the current and previous state governments to effectively organize the IPL in Jaipur. I do not wish to respond to such comments or unfounded allegations," he stated.

In conclusion, Bihani reaffirmed the RCA ad hoc committee's contributions to cricket in Rajasthan and condemned the Sports Council's actions as unconstitutional and detrimental to the sport. "Let the game remain a game—don’t drag it into conspiracies for personal or political interests," he urged.