No discrimination against RR: Gavaskar

Interim President of BCCI-IPL Sunil Gavaskar on Friday said the uncertainty over Jaipur’s status to host the league games of the 2014 edition of the IPL and Rajasthan Royals’ willingness to play in Ahmedabad led to the franchise’s home ties to be shifted to the Motera in Gujarat.

“What I can say is the BCCI-IPL had sent letters earlier on to all associations asking for their availability in view of the fact that this year the general elections are on. We have scheduled the matches according to the okays that we have received from various associations. And because there was that little bit of uncertainty about Jaipur,” Gavaskar told reporters. He explained that some home games of CSKand Kings XI have also been shifted to other cities – Ranchi and Cuttack – respectively.

“And not just Jaipur, as you can see from the schedule, Chennai and Mohali have also had issues. Therefore, the endeavour has been to make sure that the schedule is not been disrupted,” said the former India skipper. He referred to the recent Rajasthan Cricket Association’s election results which are being contested by the BCCI in the Supreme Court.

“Besides, I think the RCA matters are also sub-judice. Also the fact that the Rajasthan Royals did indicate that they would be happy to play at Ahmedabad, the decision that was taken was in view of that,” he said. He also said the franchises would be compensated for the extra expenses that will be incurred by them because of the shifting of IPL’s initial matches. Gavaskar also mentioned he was evaluating all information he was receiving about IPL’s Chief Operating Officer Sundar Raman before deciding whether to retain him or not as per the Supreme Court’s interim order. The RCA, meanwhile, claimed that it was not consulted before allotting Royals’ home games. 

“Sir, we are surprised at how governing council of IPL has shifted our home matches to Ahmedabad without even asking us. We shall suffer losses for the preparations made as well as people of Rajasthan shall lose their right to see the home team perform in front of them,” RCA Officiating Secretary K K Sharma said in a letter addressed to Gavaskar.