Will Rajasthan Royals become ‘Ahmedabad Royals’ next year?

Ahmedabad had to face disappointment twice when the city failed to get an Indian Premier League team at IPL auctions. But estranged relations between Rajasthan Royals and the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) have given Amdavadis new hope that, in 2011, the Royals may shift base from Jaipur to Ahmedabad.

There are reports that the team, which is co-owned by Emerging
Media and the actor, Shilpa Shetty, is thinking of moving out of Jaipur next season. The Royals have established a special bond with the city, and have expressed a desire to have a long-term relationship with Gujarat.

The state falls within the catchment area of the Jaipur team and it has gifted them with star players like Yusuf Pathan, Siddharth Trivedi, Ravindra Jadeja and Amit Singh, among others.

Moreover, the state’s cricketing culture and infrastructure have captivated the imagination of the Royals’ management.When asked about their future plans, a source close to the Rajasthan Royals said that the team wants to avoid the conflict with authorities that it had to face in Jaipur this year.

“The management is already mulling over a possible move and Ahmedabad is certainly at the top of the list of favourites,” the source said. “Given a chance, the Royals would like to play all their home matches at Motera next season. Ahmedabad has given us good hospitality and support.”

After playing four of their home matches at Motera, RR had returned to their original home, Jaipur, for this year’s remaining encounters. Warne and Co lost their first match against Delhi Daredevils but rallied to outplay Kolkata Knight Riders, Deccan Chargers and Chennai Super Kings.

The owners of Rajasthan Royals are reportedly tired of repeat0ed conflicts with authorities that they had to face at the Sawai Man Singh stadium.    

If the RCA raised the issue of tickets distribution, the Rajasthan state sports council succeeded in forcing the Royals to shift their office out of the stadium. The situation became so unpleasant that IPL commissioner Lalit Modi reportedly hinted that Jaipur may be taken off the IPL map.

Source in the Jaipur franchise said that it is a nightmare. “After having a very good time in Ahmedabad, we are suffering a lot.”