Jaipur: with Rajasthan High Court with the suspension of the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) ad hoc committee, a major hurdle in the state’s cricket governance has been removed. The high court appointed additional chief secretary in the state home department Bhaskar A Sawant as the sole administrator and directed him to complete the much-awaited democratic elections within three months.The ad hoc setup lasted for more than two-and-a-half years since the departure of former president Vaibhav Gehlot in February 2024. Despite seeing a revolving door of political convenors and several extensions, the interim commission has not fully succeeded in its core mandate of organizing elections.The immediate consequence of resetting the judiciary is positive for the sports landscape in the country. A stabilized, constitutionally elected leadership will finally be able to continue work on the half-built Chonp Stadium flagship project and address other lingering issues. For years, local cricket development has been held hostage by exorbitant rental fees and disputes over access to the Sawai Mansingh Stadium.Crucially, the HC ranking also strengthens the odds of Indian Premier League (IPL) continues in Jaipur. The relationship between RCA and the Rajasthan State Sports Council (RSSC) ended in early 2024, when the stadium and RCA headquarters were sealed by the sports council due to the expiry of their MoU and outstanding liabilities of approximately Rs 8 crore.With the RCA reduced to an unelected ad hoc committee, the Supreme Cricket Board (BCCI) struck an exceptional, one-off deal that allowed the sports council to facilitate IPL matches in Jaipur for the 2024 and 2025 seasons. The Rajasthan Royals coordinated match operations directly with the sports department under this special permit, although the BCCI generally prefers to work with a duly elected member association. However, the BCCI has repeatedly made it clear that such temporary fixes cannot continue. IPL President Arun Singh Dhumal stated that IPL matches can be held in Jaipur only if the RCA conducts proper elections and establishes a democratically elected body, while ensuring that the venue meets IPL standards. The franchise also evaluated the facility’s readiness.By appointing a professional administrator with a clear mandate to hold the election within three months, the HC directly fulfilled the BCCI’s key prerequisite. This significantly increases the likelihood of the Royals continuing to play their home matches in Jaipur without further administrative uncertainty.Long standing questions: Questions are now being raised about the fate of actions taken by the outgoing ad hoc council, including the recent internal inquiry launched against Bharatpur DCA secretary Shatrudhan Tiwari over complaints of harassment by female players.People familiar with the matter say the new administrator may still look into such cases if the affected players approach the RCA again.Additionally, some players have expressed concern over whether their performances in the recently concluded Colvin Shield, which serves as a key selection criterion for the senior men’s team, will be considered by a future select body. They hope that their efforts will not be in vain.
